The Office of the Jute Commissioner, operating under the Ministry of Textiles, has issued a stringent order imposing immediate maximum stock holding limits for raw jute across traders, dealers, and manufacturing units. The order, issued by the Jute Commissioner, under the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016, aims to regulate market supply and curb excessive stocking. This order was published on October 7, 2025.
New Maximum Stock Holding Limits
The order specifies the following mandatory limits for raw jute held either on the entity’s own account or on behalf of third parties:
| Category of Raw Jute Trader/Mill | Maximum Quantity of Raw Jute to be Held |
| Stockists who are raw jute balers and have a baling press in the same premises | 2,000 Quintals |
| All other categories of stockist of raw jute | 300 Quintals |
| Jute Mills / Manufacturing units of Jute Goods from raw jute | 45 days consumption (as per current production rate) |
Mandate for Immediate Sale of Excess Stock
Any entity currently holding stock in excess of the newly defined limits must take immediate action:
- The excess quantity of raw jute must be sold within 15 days from the date of the Order (September 24, 2025) and physically delivered to the consignee by October 20, 2025.
- Entities holding stock above the specified limit must stop all fresh purchases forthwith until their stock levels drop below the maximum limit.
- A compliance report detailing the sale and delivery of excess stock, along with supporting documentary evidence, must be sent by email immediately to the Jute Commissioner’s office.
Enforcement and Penalties
The order includes strict enforcement provisions:
Failure to comply with any provision of this Order will result in punishment under Clause 11 of the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016, read with Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which provides for imprisonment and fine.
Authorized representatives of the Jute Commissioner and state police officials are directed to be afforded necessary facilities to enter and search premises and godowns, inspect books and records, and seize any raw jute suspected of being stocked in contravention of the limits.
Raw jute stocked in a single premise will be considered a total single stock, regardless of the names of different traders or stockists associated with it, unless the parties can produce separate trade licenses, PANs, separate registration with the Jute Commissioner, and separate rent agreements for the godown space.
The Order comes into force with immediate effect and remains valid until further notice. The Jute Corporation of India Ltd. is exempt from this Order, although the stock held by jute mills that was sold by JCI remains covered by the stock limits.