Amendment in the jute packaging law by the Centre would adversely affect 4 million farmers of eastern states including Bihar, claimed Bihar Deputy Minister, Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi.
He said that the existing Jute Packaging Materials Act, 1987 that stipulated cent-percent use of jute bags for sugar and food-grains packaging, is now being amended, which will help the plastic industry.
Plastic industry of western India is forcing the Union Textile Ministry to amend the existing law for their benefit. But this idea, which would affect jute industry in north-eastern states including Bihar, is being treated very casually by the textile ministry, said Mr. Modi.
Amendment of the law would result in decrease in the percentage of packaging of food-grains and sugar in jute bags. It would slip down to 75 percent from 100 percent, while rest of the 25 percent would be packaged in plastic bags, he added.
As the amendment would take its toll on 4 million jute farmers, 2.4 million jute industry associates and 500,000 traders, Mr. Modi urged the Centre not to take any haste decision regarding the amendment of this law.
This move would also affect the plan of Bihar government to establish a 'Jute Park' under Public-Private Partnership model in Purnia District, at an estimated cost of Rs. 150 crore, added Mr. Modi.
About 44.5 acres of land has been allocated by the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) for this multi-purpose jute park, he informed.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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