The jute industry stressed on the importance of continuation of the protection extended through the mandatory Packaging Control Act at a meeting where the industry’s “over dependence on one product and a single-customer” also figured on the agenda. The issue of the protection extended to the jute industry featured prominently. It was pointed out that the Jute Packaging Materials Act , 1987 was meant as a support to the industry and not a substitute to the industry’s growth and development. While fertiliser and cement sectors have been totally exempted from using jute packaging, there has been relaxation in case of sugar and foodgrains as well. The domestic market was the mainstay of of the 12.3 lakh tonnes jute goods industry with 74 per cent of the output being accounted for by sackings.

Source: The Hindu October 22, 2016 18:00 UTC