RESERVATION NORMS FOR JUTE PACKAGING MATERIALS

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Context

• Government of India approved Reservation norms for mandatory use of jute.

Read all about Jute Industry: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/jute-industry

Details

• Under the Jute Packaging Materials Act 1987, the Government approved Reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging of rice, wheat, and sugar for the Jute Year 2022-23.
• The Mandatory norms provide for full reservation for packaging of foodgrains and 20% reservation for packaging of sugar in jute bags.

[Note: JPM Act, 1987 protects the interest of Jute farmers, workers and persons engaged in jute goods’ production.]

Significance of the Mandatory Norms

• The Jute industry occupies an important place in the national economy of India, particularly in West Bengal where nearly 75 jute mills operate and provide a livelihood to lakhs of workmen. Mandatory norms will support 40 lakh farm families in the jute sector.
• The decision will also help the jute sector in Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• The reservation norms would further the interest of domestic production of raw jute and jute packaging material in India, thereby, making India self-reliant in consonance with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• It will also help protect the environment because jute is a natural, bio- degradable, renewable & reusable fibre and hence fulfills all sustainability parameters.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1901434#:~:text=Government%20of%20India%20approved%20Reservation,big%20boost%20for%20West%20Bengal.