The government has framed new rules to enforce a compulsory use of jute sacks to pack food grains and other items. The compliance with the law is expected to give jute goods makers and farmers a cushion from a slump in prices due to reduced demand for jute items abroad.
The rules gazetted early this month will come into effect in August for public and private sectors. It will also be applicable to goods imported in bulk, according to the rules.
Businesses have largely been ignoring the law passed in October 2010, as the authority could not enforce it due to absence of the rules. But rice millers expressed concern that the use of jute sacks would put a extra price burden on them due to high prices of the bags. An advisory panel headed by Textiles Secretary will determine the amount of food grains and other items to be packed by jute sacks next month based on the annual availability and production of jute and sacks.
