Drive to implement \\\'jute packaging law\\\' launched

The government launched a mobile court drive Thursday to enforce the mandatory 'jute packaging act' as part of the initiative to ensure use of jute bags for packaging of different products.
Initially, the drive was launched at the city's Karwan Bazar, one of the major wholesale markets, Mijanur Rahman, Director (admin and finance) of Department of Jute told the FE adding that the drive will be expanded gradually across the country.
Without confirming as to whether any penalty was imposed during Thursday's drive or not he said the court gave the traders a seven-day ultimatum for replacing all the existing plastic bags with jute-made ones.
He, however, said although they had a plan to launch such drives at the city's three spots -- Karwan Bazar, Krishi Market and Badamtoli -- it was not possible due to lack of logistic support.
Mr Rahman said with the proper implementation of the law, the use of jute-made bags will increase significantly and it will give a boost to the country's ailing jute sector and protect the environment.
The mobile court will launch drives in factories, mills and related spots across the country to monitor mandatory use of jute bags, he added.
Earlier, the government had taken various programmes to create awareness among the people about usefulness of environment-friendly jute bags.
The jute ministry published a gazette notification on implementation of the Jute Packaging Act 2010. The execution of the act was to start from January 01, 2014.
Jute bags will have to be used to pack paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar, according to the packaging law.
If any stakeholder violates the law, he/she will be jailed for up to one year or fined Tk 50,000 or both the penalties will be applicable considering the degree of his/her non-compliance, as per the law.  
After proper implementation of the law, total domestic consumption of jute bags might stand at 450 million pieces a year.
Rice and husking mills and rice traders will have to use around 350 million pieces of jute bags, the Department of Food 50 million and fertiliser factory owners and importers 50 million pieces a year.
The government-owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) will provide 50 per cent of jute bags and another 50 per cent will be supplied by the private sector including the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) and traders.
BJMA secretary Abdul Barik Khan hailed the government initiative saying that it will help to reopen the closed mills and develop the sector.
He also urged the government to start drives across the country within a short period to implement the act properly.
He, however, said for lower international demand, the jute mills are struggling hard to survive. Some five jute mills have already been forced to announce lay-off.
About 7.0 million bales of jute are produced in the country every year. Of these, some 4.5-5.0 million bales are usually required for local jute industries and the rest are kept for export.