An inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Textiles and Jute (MoTJ) on September 20 decided to tag the condition of mandatory use of jute bags for packaging essential commodities like paddy, rice, wheat, maize and sugar while sanctioning, renewing and disbursing bank loans for millers, businessmen and traders.

Bangladesh Bank issued Monday a circular, directing all the scheduled banks to comply with the government's decision on mandatory use of jute bags for packaging foodstuff and agricultural produce.

The central bank directed the managing directors and chief executive officers of the banks to take necessary measures to implement the government’s decision. The businessmen would not be allowed loan if they fail to comply with the mandatory jute packaging law.

In this perspective, if the businessmen do not comply with the condition, they will be disqualified from getting loan and the commercial banks has be asked to inform the clients concerned in written, especially the millers and traders, who are not using jute bags for packaging essential commodities, of the government's decision.

The government enacted the 'Mandatory Jute Packaging Act' in October 2010, but it has not been implemented accordingly due to absence of proper rules, lack of awareness and alleged non-cooperation from businesspeople on the grounds of high costing.

MoTJ has decided to launch a weeklong drive against non-users of jute bags across the country from November 30 in order to ensure mandatory use of jute sacks for packaging and agricultural produce under the existing jute packaging act and stop use of polythene bags.