Centre initiated non tariff intervention measure to curb jute imports

Under the SAARC treaty, there is zero duty on import of jute goods from Bangladesh, thereby creating a non level playing field between jute manufacturers of India and Bangladesh. The Centre has initiated non-tariff intervention to curb unabated jute imports, specially from Bangladesh.

According to a recent notice issued by the office of the Jute Commissioner, registration of the importers stands cancelled and the traders to whom the importers sell the imported jute/jute products and the end-users will have to re-register their units in a given format.

Adding further, the notice said that the importer has to apply for an “NOC” in a given format to the office of the Jute Commissioner for every consignment.

Sources in the jute industry said that the Jute Commissioner’s office has just revived the Jute and Jute Textile Control order of year 2000 and implementing it. It will have some positive impact on checking imports now.

It has been found that imported jute products are making inroads for government procurement at the cost of domestic jute industry.

In the recent past government has introduced marking system to put a check in rise of jute products imports.

Last July, the import from Bangladesh jumped by 213 percent in volume and 274 percent in value over the corresponding month of 2014.