Fall in price of rubber: Kerala to take up issue with Centre

The Kerala government today said it would take up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the financial crisis faced by rubber farmers in the state following sharp fall in its price.
Replying to a calling attention motion to the need to redress the serious problems of rubber growers, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy informed the Assembly that government would demand a curb on import or hike in the import duty of rubber.
He said the issue would be brought to the notice of the PM when a state delegation meets him soon to apprise him of the state's concern on the Mullaperiyar issue. The delegation will include opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.

Chandy said further fall in price of rubber would not only adversely affect farmers, but also the state's economy. It would also ultimately hit tyre manufactures in the country, as production would fall with farmers shifting to other crops, he pointed out.
"So it is the responsibility of all to ensure reasonable price to rubber for farmers", Chandy said.
The Chief Minister said government had already held one round of discussions with Rubber Board Officials to find a solution to the problem.
He said Kerala would give its recommendation to the Centre to incorporate in the new National Rubber policy a demand for financial package for rubber tree replantation.

Chandy said rubber procurement initiated by state government had failed to make any impact on the market.