Decision To Import Rubber Triggers Row.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Rubber plantation owners in Kerala are wary with the commerce ministry’s decision to allow the import of 40,000 tonnes of natural rubber at a reduced rate of 7.5 per cent customs duty for the financial year 2011-12.

Though Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani said that he would take up the issue with the federal government, rubber growers are afraid of a steep fall in the prices during the lean period. Mani told Oman Tribune that the issue would be sorted out within a couple of weeks.

“I have already talked to the Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. He has told me that the issue could be sorted out. Let’s go by his confirmation,” he said.

According to many rubber traders, the coming months of April-March would give a heartburning experience for those who had switched over to rubber cultivation.

However, rubber traders in Kochi were more hopeful and said the impact on domestic prices won’t attack the local market. Still, they too were confused about what was really happening.

The issue has triggered outrage in the capital, where the Left opposition in Kerala staged a walkout from the assembly alleging that the central government’s decision to import rubber was meant to please the tyre lobby at the expense of rubber farmers in the state.

Leader of opposition VS Achuthanandan led all opposition legislators out of the house after failing to get Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to come out with a resolution condemning the decision.

Source : omantribune.com