Among medium term demands are renegotiation of free trade agreements, enhancement of replanting subsidy and classification of NR as an agricultural commodityKochi: The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (Upasi) has called for a ban on the import of natural rubber for one year and enhancement of bound rate of duty from the current level of 25 % as production loss mounts in the natural rubber sector.
The association has estimated a crop loss of 49000 tonnes valued at Rs 610 crore from the last week of March and April. The absence of rubber trading has affected cash flow and revenue, especially from the sale of sheets and latex that came to a standstill, Upasi said in a representation to the Rubber Board.
Upasi president AL RM Nagappan said the import ban should be for one year or till the available domestic stock of 3.10 lakh tonnes is exhausted. Further, import should be prohibited during high cropping months of September to February.
Upasi sought direct transfer of wages to workers’ account for the lockdown period of March 25 to April 20, which works out to Rs 466 crore. In addition to this it also requested for a wage subsidy scheme and payment of PF contributon of employer and employee in the rubber sector by the government which in South India will amount to Rs 323 crore.
Other short term demands include, interest-free loans, interest subvention of 3% to all loans in rubber sector, 25% enhancement in crop loan limit, reschedule of payment of loans and MSP at cost of production plus 50%.
Among medium term demands are renegotiation of free trade agreements, enhancement of replanting subsidy and classification of NR as an agricultural commodity
Spread of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown happened when the rubber sector was beset by declining prices and increasing imports. The emerging international factors are also not conducive for NR sector in the days ahead as world economic growth is downsized
drastically.
Source: indiatimes.com
