Food ministry shows bias in favour of plastic bags as jute industry falters

Supply of jute bags from jute ministry has remained patchy during the kharif marketing season, prompting the Food ministry to look for other alternatives

The Union food ministry has moved for dilution in the mandatory packaging order of food grains given the patchy supply of jute bags during the kharif marketing season (KMS) for 2019-20.

As per the Jute Packaging Materials Act, 100 per cent of food grains need to be compulsorily packed in jute bags. However, the supply position of the jute mills remains unsatisfactory, prompting the food ministry to look for alternative packing material.

In fact, the Ministry of food has flagged serious concerns on the inadequate supply of B Twill jute bags meant for packing food grains. Considering the exigencies of