The Hindu Business Line : Centre's decision on jute bags draws flak

GUJARAT-based manufacturers of polypropylene and high density polyethylene (PP/HDPE) woven sacks are up in arms against the United Progressive Alliance Government's decision to make the use of jute bags mandatory for packing foodgrains and sugar.

The Gujarat State Plastics Manufacturers' Association and All-India Flat Tape Manufacturers' Association on Tuesday submitted a joint memorandum to the State Government to take up the issue of dilution in the Jute Materials Packaging Act that has been withdrawn by the Centre. The JPM Act, 1987, makes it mandatory to pack 100 per cent foodgrains and 90 per cent sugar in jute bags.

The previous National Democratic Alliance Government had diluted the Act and brought down the compulsion of jute packaging to 60 per cent for foodgrains and 50 per cent for sugar. Stating that "consumer interest should not be compromised to appease the jute lobby," State Energy and Petroleum Minister, Mr Saurabh Patel, said that the mandatory use of jute bags was causing a great loss to the industry and consumers.

HDPE/PP bags are cheaper, stronger and moisture resistant and can be put to a variety of uses ranging from barricading to flood control after the packed goods have been taken out. On the contrary, jute bags are not resistant to water, cause contamination and spillage, according to the presentation made by the two associations.

More Stories on : Jute | Packaging | Agricultural Policy | Maharashtra

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Centre's decision on jute bags draws flak