Dhaka: The use of jute bags has been made mandatory for packaging eleven more essential goods, said a notification issued by Textile and Jute Minister on 21 January.

Earlier, following the enactment of the Jute Packaging Act in October 2010 to boost domestic use of jute bags instead of synthetic the government made the act effective from January 2014 for primarily packaging six essential products.

However, amending the act, government issued order for compulsory use of jute bags for packaging eleven more essentials goods.

 The use of jute bag has been made mandatory for carrying and preserving any quantity of chilli, turmeric, onion, garlic, ginger, pulses, cumin, potato, flour, rice hulls, and broken rice grains.

With this, the use of jute bags has been made compulsory for 17 items.

Earlier on 3 June, 2013, the government issued a notification making the jute bag use mandatory for carrying and preserving six items—rice, paddy, wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar.