HC upholds mandatory jute packaging for sugar industry
Bengaluru : The Karnataka High Court has rejected the petitions brought by the South Indian Sugar Mills Association (Karnataka) and the Indian Sugar Mills Association seeking to exempt sugar from the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act of 1987.
The petitions had challenged Union government notifications mandating that 20% of sugar be packed in jute bags, according to a Deccan Herald report. While foodgrains must be packed entirely in jute bags, the requirement for sugar is limited to one-fifth of production.
The associations argued that the mandate was intended only to promote the jute industry and raised health concerns, claiming that the use of jute batching oil in weaving jute bags is tumorigenic and could contaminate sugar. They also cited instances of governments in Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh flagging similar risks.
Rejecting the plea, the court noted that the Supreme Court had earlier upheld a 100% jute packaging mandate for sugar and cement industries, stressing its role in advancing socio-economic justice for jute farmers and workers under the Directive Principles of State Policy.
“Once the compulsion of 100% packaging upon the sugar industry was upheld by the Supreme Court, the present grievance against a mere 20% reservation can scarcely aspire to higher favour,” Justice M. Nagaprasanna observed.
The court also pointed out that jute batching oil used in bag manufacturing is sealed with a thin layer to prevent leakage, moisture absorption, and pilferage of sugar. Whether it poses carcinogenic risks, the court said, is a matter for the Standing Advisory Committee to evaluate.
Concluding, the bench held that the 20% mandate for jute packaging in the sugar industry was “neither arbitrary nor unreasonable.”
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
