High Court restores old jute use order

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court recently stayed the order of the ousted Vajpayee government reducing the use of jute bags in foodgrains and sugar in response to a petition filed by Indian Jute Mill Association (IJMA).

The bench of Justice A Kabir and Justice A K Bisi passed the ad interim order restraining the central government from giving any effect to its April 16, 2004, notification until further orders.

The government through its notice reduced the use of jute packaging materials for foodgrains from 90 per cent to 60 per cent and for sugar from 100 per cent to 50 per cent.

In the appeal, IJMA said at present there was no case pending in the Supreme Court of India. The earlier order of the single judge now had no meaning.

IJMA had moved writ petition challenging the central government's April 16 order before Justice P C Ghosh, who refused to pass any order and directed IJMA to move the Supreme Court.

The state government supported the IJMA appeal and said the central government decision on jute bag packaging would destroy the jute industry.

The central government and plastic bag manufacturers opposed the appeal as the decision was an inter-ministerial policy decision. A law court should not entertain such petitions, they added.

Plastic bag manufactures said the government order would ensure survival of the plastic industry.