21 August :The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for compulsory packing for the food grains and sugar in jute bags shall be as follows for the Jute Year 2008-09 (July-June):
Food grains : 100%
Sugar : 100%
Following exemptions will be prescribed in the order under JPM Act:
(i) In case of any shortage or disruption in supply of jute packaging material, Ministry of Textiles will, in consultation with the user Ministries concerned, further relax these provisions upto a maximum of 20% for foodgrains and sugar respectively;
(ii) “Sugar fortified with vitamins” will be exempted from the purview of this order;
(iii) Packaging for export of the commodities will be exempted;
(iv) Small Consumer packs of 25 kgs and below will be exempted; and
(v) Bulk packaging of more than 100 kg will be exempted.
It will provide sustenance to millions of people engaged in Jute Sector.