Dhaka: The use of jute bags would be mandatory after 25 October this year for packaging six essential goods, says State Minister for Textile and Jute Mirza Azam.

‘The government would ensure compulsory use of jute bags for packaging essentials goods like paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertilizer and sugar instead of plastic bags,’ he said while inaugurating a fair of diversified jute goods in Jamalpur on Friday.

The State Minister also made it clear that any violation of this act would not be tolerated for the sake of the survival of jute sector as well as the livelihood of the jute growers in the country.

‘Our Jute industries and the livelihood of jute growers depend on the implementation of this act,’ he said.

Mirza Azam said exports of Jute and Jute goods were declining due to reasons like world economic recession, political instability and conspiracy at home and abroad and also trade competition.

‘Under such a circumstance, there is no alternative to increasing local use of Jute and Jute goods,’ he said.

Following the enactment of the Jute Packaging Act in October

2010 to boost domestic use of jute bags instead of synthetic,

Mirza Azam said the government made the act effective from

January 2014 for primarily packaging six essential products, but its implementation has been violated on various excuses to subtly destroy the country's jute sector.

He said the present government would take stern action against those, who would be found violating this act from 25 October this year.

‘I hope all concerned would follow this act to prove their sense of patriotism,’ he said.

Around 40 crore pieces of jute bags and sacks would be required annually for packaging six essential products, said the state minister adding that ‘BJMC would be able to provide half of the total requirement while the private jute mills would meet rest of the demand.’

Mirza Azam called for strictly following the Jute Packaging Act 2010.

The Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) under the Ministry of Textile and Jute organized the fair in collaboration with the district administration.

Chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Jamalpur M Shahabuddin Khan, former land minister and Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Land M Rezaul Karim Hira spoke as the special guest.