Context:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging for the Jute Year 2023 -24 under Jute Packaging Materials (JPM) (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987.
JPM Act 1987:
- Provides for compulsory use of jute packaging material in supply and distribution of certain commodities.
- Mandatory packaging norms approved for Jute Year 2023-24 provide for 100% reservation of food-grains and 20% of sugar to be compulsorily packed in jute bags.
- Benefits of reservation for JPM –
- Protect the interest of domestic production of raw jute and JPM in India, thereby, making India self-reliant.
- Provide relief to 4 lakh workers employed in jute mills and ancillary units.
- Support livelihood of around 40 lakh farm families.
- Protect environment as jute is natural, bio- degradable, renewable and reusable fibre and hence fulfils all sustainability parameters.
Jute (golden fibre) is one of major industries in India’s eastern region.
India is world’s biggest producer of jute, followed by Bangladesh.
About Jute Crop:
- Climate: Humid.
- Temperature: Between 24 to 38 degree Celsius.
- Minimum rainfall: 1000 mm.
- Soil: New grey alluvial soil of good depth receiving silt from annual floods.
- Major Jute producing states: West Bengal (largest), Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
