HC stays jute bag order

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Centre to maintain status quo as on June 30, 2004, on the use of jute packaging materials till July 7.

Following a plea made by the Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union, the division bench of Justice A Kabir and Justice A K Bisi passed the order. BCMU stated in the court that on May 21, 2004, the court stayed the ousted NDA government's order reducing the use of jute bags in foodgrains and sugar.

It was stated that inspite of the order of High Court, the newly constituted Congress led, left supported, UPA government followed the foot steps of earlier NDA government and reduced the use of jute bags in foodgrains and sugar from July 1, 2004, for one more year.

The central government in its July 1 order permitted users of jute bags to reduce its use in foodgrains packaging to 60 per cent and sugar to 50 per cent. Earlier, users had to utilise jute bags for foodgrains for upto 90 per cent of requirement. For sugar, 100 per cent was to be packed in jute bags.

BCMU stated in its affidavit the July 1 order was bad and violated the High Court's order of May 21. The new jute packaging order should be set aside, the affidavit said.