Jute packaging mandatory for 11 more products

The government has made use of jute bags obligatory for packaging 11 more agro-products to boost domestic use of the golden fibre following the imposition of anti-dumping duty by India on Bangladeshi jute and jute goods.

According to a gazette notification issued on Tuesday, growers and traders will have to compulsorily use jute bags for packaging onion, ginger, garlic, pulses, potato, coarse flour, flour, chili, turmeric, coriander seeds and husks of rice and wheat.

In December 2015, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute made use of jute bags mandatory for preserving and transporting six products like paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertilizer and sugar.

The use of jute is now compulsory in the preservation and transportation of 20 kg or more of the 17 commodities.

Sources of the ministry said mobile courts will be conducted to ensure the use of jute bags.

One can get one year imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000 or both punishments for violation the rules, according to the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010. The punishment will be doubled for the 2nd time offence.