Dhaka: State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam on Sunday said a special drive will be conducted across the country from May 15 next to ensure the use of jute bags for packaging 17 items.

Besides, the law enforcement agencies have been asked to be strict to implement the 'Mandatory Jute Packaging Act-2010' which have provisions of jail, fine, cancellation of bank loan and licence, he said while speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting at his office.

"Once the law is fully implemented, a demand for 100 crore jute bags will be created each year. It'll also increase the demand of jute and jute products in the local market and farmers will get fair price," he said.

The government has made the use of jute bags mandatory for packaging 17 commodities -- paddy, rice, wheat, corn, fertiliser, sugar, onion, ginger, garlic, pulses, potato, flour, chili, turmeric, coriander seeds and husks of rice and wheat.