Union Cabinet Decision Govt approves norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging

1. Union Cabinet Decision: Govt approves norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging Guwahati: The Union Cabinet approved reservation norms for Jute Packaging Materials for the Jute Year 2021-22 on Wednesday. According to reservation norms, 100 percent foodgrains and 20 percent sugar will be packed in jute bags during Jute Year 2021-22 under the JPM Act, 1987. The move is expected to benefit the 3,70,000 workers employed in jute mills and related industries. The jute industry plays a significant role in the National economy, particularly in the Eastern Region, which includes West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Jute Sacking Bags make about 75% of the Jute Industry’s total production, with 90 percent supplied to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Procurement Agencies (SPAs) and the rest being exported/sold directly. Every year, the government buys worth Rs. 8,000 crores of Jute sacking bags for packing food grains, ensuring a steady market for Jute Farmers and Workers’ products. The reservation requirements in the current proposal would promote domestic raw jute and jute packaging material manufacturing in India, hence making India self- reliant in consonance with Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Around 66.57 percent of the raw jute produced in the country in 2020-21 and was reserved for packaging in jute packaging material. Guwahati: The Union Cabinet approved reservation norms for Jute Packaging Materials for the Jute Year 2021-22 on Wednesday. According to reservation norms, 100 percent foodgrains and 20 percent sugar will be packed in jute bags during Jute Year 2021-22 under the JPM Act, 1987.