West Bengal jute mills stir: Government eases foodgrain packing norms

The entire foodgrain production need not be packed in jute bags, following relaxation of a Central rule that mandated 100% jute packaging.
    
The ministry of Textiles relaxed the jute packaging order in the wake of strike in the jute mills, resulting in shortage of packaging bags made of the environment-friendly fibre.
    
The government has given relaxation equivalent to 3.84 lakh bales for the marketing season of Kharif (2009-10) and Rabi (2010-11), an official said.
    
Following this, the foodgrain can now be packed in synthetics to the extent the rule has been relaxed.
    
"The decision comes in the wake of the wage-related strike in 52 mills of the total 54 in West Bengal. Besides, the drought in the state has affected jute production," he said.
    
According to the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packaging Commodities) Act of 1987, foodgrain and sugar has to be packed in jute bags only.
    
The ministry of Textiles has estimated that 10.48 lakh bales will be required between November 2009 and February 2010.
   
Earlier, the standing advisory committee on the issue, chaired by textiles secretary Rita Menon, had asked for 25% dilution in the Jute Packaging Materials Act.