The Centre will decide on its policy on rubber imports after holding a stakeholders meeting in Kerala, said Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
“All stakeholders have met me separately putting forward all possible demands including both incentivising exports and restricting imports. I want to get all stakeholders together so that all views come out in the open at the same time,” she said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Imports of rubber increased 49 per cent to 3.24 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 from 2.17 lakh tonnes in the previous year despite an increase in import duty in December last year to Rs 30 per kg, or 20 per cent, whichever is lower.
Rubber growers complain that cheaper imports drive down domestic prices, while the user industry says that there is not enough rubber available within the country, the Minister said.
“We want everybody concerned with rubber and rubber related matters to participate in the stakeholders meet. Once all views are placed before everybody, we will talk about the rubber policy and then take a decision,” she said.
– The Hindu
