Image Source: Business Standard
The jute industry has strenuously urged the Ministry of Textiles to reconsider its recent decision granting the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state procurement agencies to dilute mandated jute packing norms. Along with its associates, the industry claims that the relaxation threatens the livelihoods of millions of jute farmers and workers, especially in West Bengal and other eastern states that are primary employers in the sector.
Since the enactment of the Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, it has been compulsory to use jute bags to pack foodgrains, and this has benefitted the jute sector. The industry's latest request comes at a time when there is concern that a relaxation of the norms will lead to a significant decline in demand for jute sacking and injure farmers and mill workers.
Industry bodies have put the economic and social importance of the jute sector at the forefront, as the sector directly sustains more than 40 lakh farm families, and hundreds of thousands of subsistence workers in mills and related industries. They advise that random dilution of the packaging requirement will negate government efforts for increasing jute production and farmers income.
The Ministry of Textiles is still in the process of formalizing the industry's request. Constituents are anxiously awaiting developments, as ongoing discussions about how to find a balance between providing efficient procurement and dairy jute growing.
Source: Textile Industry News Daily
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