Implementation of the mandatory jute packaging act faces setback due to alleged lax operation of mobile courts.
Mobile courts began drives last month to bring the violators of the law to book.
Jute mill owners said mobile court officials visited a number of markets, including Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Krishi Market, in the capital but merely warned the violators of the law instead of fining them.
The law was enacted in 2010 with a view to protecting the environment from pollution caused by the use of synthetic bags for packaging goods.
Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) Secretary Barik Khan said the majority of the food items including rice were still packaged with synthetic bags.
He also claimed slack mobile court vigilance, saying officials visited some city markets but took no stern action against those flouting the law.
Anyone violating the law will face a maximum of one year in jail and a fine of Tk50,000 or both. Jute Department has been tasked with implementing the act.
“We have taken all necessary measures to operate mobile courts in order to implement the act,” Jute Department Director General RC Marmon told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
He said mobile courts were working slow may be because of Eid and Puja.
President of Rice Mills Owners' Groups in Naogaon Tofiqul Islam said jute bags were unavailable in the market.
The price of rice would go up by Tk1-2 per kg if jute bags are used, he said.
“We need to spend Tk12 on a synthetic bag but for a jute bag, it is Tk65. The customers and buyers will have to pay the extra money,” he added.
RC Marmon, however, claimed a jute bag costs Tk35-40.
“If necessary, we will be able to supply at reduced costs and there will be no shortage,” he said.
Barik meanwhile said the local consumption of jute would go up if the law is implemented.
“We will get competitive prices of jute in the international market. The BJMA and Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation are capable of supplying 12,000,000 bags daily,” he said.
According to the Jute Department, around 75 crore bags are used in the country annually, and 50% of jute will be used locally if the act is implemented.
Around 70 bales of raw jute were produced last year.
A senior Jute Department official said there is an opportunity of using around Tk5,000 crore worth of jute bags, which would help the mills under the BJMC survive.
All 27 state-owned jute mills remain in poor conditions, he added.