Importers from now on must have to use jute sacks in packaging imported rice and wheat as the government made it compulsory under the mandatory jute packaging act.
According to a gazette notification issued by the textile and jute ministry on October 1, both the government and private importers will have to compulsorily use 100 per cent jute bags in packaging imported rice and wheat.
It also made mandatory to use jute sacks in packaging paddy, wheat and maize seeds above 5 kilogram, the notification stated adding that Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation would provide 50 per cent of required bags and the private sector would meet the rest of the demand for the bags.
A senior official of the textile and jute ministry on Monday told New Age that the gazette notification was issued in line with the recommendations of the advisory committee formed under the act on the implementation of the act.
The government made the provision against the backdrop of failure in enforcing the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act-2010 which came into effect from January this year.
According to the act, mill owners, traders and suppliers must have to use jute sacks for packaging paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar in a bid to promote environment-friendly jute bags to revive the ailing jute industry and prevent polythene, synthetic and plastic bags to protect environment.
But the government failed to enforce the law as poly-bags are being widely used throughout the country in packaging food grains like paddy, rice and wheat in absence of government efforts.
A senior official of the ministry said that the government had made the use of jute bags for imported rice and wheat mandatory to promote the jute goods in all possible areas and create a label playing field for domestic traders.
Stakeholders including local rice millers, jute goods producers, traders and environmentalists have been demanding for making jute bags mandatory for packaging imported food grains, he said.
The government and private importers usually import rice and wheat in bulk and package those before supply.
He said that the provision would be effective from the date of gazette notification.
According to the act, if any person violates the law, he/she will be jailed for up to one year or be fined Tk 50,000 — or both the penalties will be applicable considering the degree of non-compliance.
Officials of the ministry said that the government was trying to implement the law fully as it has been conducting mobile court drives across the country to enforce the law.
They, however, blamed the private sector for not complying with the law.
According to the jute department, around 75 crore jute bags will be needed annually and 50 per cent of jute produced in the country would be consumed locally if the act can be implemented fully.
A total of 212 jute mills are currently operating in the country. Of which, 21 are run by the government and the rest by private owners.
-With New Age input
