Now all food grains to be packed in jute bags only; to benefit farmers in eastern states

In a big boost to jute farmers as well as the industry, the Centre has taken a major decision, mandating jute packaging for food grains.

The decision was taken at the Central Cabinet (CCEA) meeting held on Thursday under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. 100 percent packing of food grains and 20 percent packing of sugar will be mandatory in jute bags.

In a press conference announcing this decision, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the step will give a boost to jute farming and jute industry.

'A decision has been taken for the benefit of farmers and laborers. Jute bags, you know, are used in packaging. It has been decided that for 100 percent food grains, the entire bag for will be of jute. And 20 percent sugar will be packed in jute bags. This will give a boost to jute farming and jute industry, laborer will get employment, farmers will benefit," Javadekar said.

The committee will decide what the cost of jute bags will be for the common people. Giving more information about this decision, Javadekar said that the demand for jute will increase with this decision.

Along with 40 lakh farmers, nearly four lakh workers engaged in the jute industry will also get the benefit of this decision. This will benefit the jute farmers of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh, as these states produce the highest jute.

Welcoming the decision, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani said in a tweet that "the government buys jute worth 7500 crore rupees to keep demand."

In the event of a decrease in the supply of jute or any kind of hindrance, this rule can also be relaxed and the requirement of 100 percent can be reduced to 30 percent.