Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today claimed that the Centre's move to amend the jute packaging law would have an adverse impact on 40 lakh farmers of eastern states, including Bihar.
Modi said the existing Jute Packaging Materials Act, 1987 which stipulated 100 per cent use of jute bags for packaging of sugar and foodgrains, was now being amended to help the plastic industry.
"Union Textile ministry under the pressure of plastic industrialists of West (Western India) is toying with the idea of amending the existing law to benefit them which would ultimately result in losses to the jute industry in north eastern states, particularly Bihar," Modi said.
Once the law was amended, the percentage of packaging of foodgrains and sugar in jute bags would go down from 100 per cent to 75 per cent and as a result, the rest 25 per cent would be packaged in plastic bags, Modi said.
Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, urged the Centre not to take a decision in haste as it would affect 40 lakh jute farmers, 24 lakh industrial workers associated with the jute industry and 5 lakh traders.
Modi also said the Centre's move would have an adverse impact on the Bihar government's plan to set up a 'Jute Park' under public-private partnership mode at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore at Maranga in Purnia district.
The Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) had earmarked 44.5 acres of land for the multi-purpose jute park, he added.