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It seems that the government is not all concerned on the plight of the jute industry and its growers, at least the reply given by Kanshiram Rana to a letter of CPI(M) MP Somnath Chatterjee regarding Jute Packaging Materials(Compulsory Use In Packing Commodities )Act, 1987, It may be pointed out that left MPs had written to the minister of textiles and also a delegation of them met prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on this regard urging them to reconsider the decision on jute packing.

He said as regards reduction in the percentage of complusory packing for urea from 50 percent to 20 percent is concerned , the main reason is the high cost of jute packaging when compared to HDPE bags. The consumer on the one hand was burdened with high prices and on the other hand government had to provide subsidy of the order of Rs.100 crones or so under the administered pricing system . The government is commissioning a study to study the comparative cost of jute and polypropylene which will help in appreciating the cost differential of the jute packaging materials. In any case ,as the order is effective only upto 30th June 1999, the Standing Advisory Committee will review this position with a view to fully safeguard the interest of the jute sector, and give its recommendation for compulsory packaging in jute sector, and give its recommendation for compulsory packaging in jute bags for the succeeding jute year 1999-2000 (1st July ,1999 to 30th June 2000 ,he added.