The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval to expand the scope of mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987.
The CCEA approved that 100 per cent of the food grains and 20 per cent of sugar shall be mandatorily packed in 
diversified jute bags. The decision to pack sugar in diversified jute bags will give an impetus to the diversification of the jute industry.
Initially 10 per cent of the indents of jute bags for packing foodgrains would be placed through reverse auction on the Gem portal. This will gradually usher in a regime of price discovery.
The CCEA also approved continuation of the nine sub-schemes of the umbrella scheme Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services during 2017-2020 at an estimated cost of 1450 crore rupees.
It will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its institutes namely India Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service.
The CCEA also approved establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research with a financial commitment of 130 crore rupees during 2020-21 and beyond.
