Union Government constituted an Expert Committee to formulate National Rubber Policy

Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 16 June 2014 constituted an Expert Committee to formulate National Rubber Policy. The Expert Committee will be headed by Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, Additional Secretary, Plantations, Department of Commerce.

The Committee will examine issues relating to production, development and exports of rubber and related products and make recommendations for a broad based policy relating to all types of rubber i.e. Natural Rubber (NR), Synthetic Rubber (SR) and Reclaimed Rubber (RR).

The Terms of Reference of the Committee
• Review current status of Indian Rubber Industry covering Natural Rubber (NR), Synthetic Rubber (SR) and Reclaimed Rubber (RR) and rubber product
• Review and assess the demand and supply of all types of rubbers in the country, taking into account the projected demand and export potential of rubber products for the next ten years
• Identify key opportunities and critical challenges in the production and marketing of Natural Rubber (NR), Synthetic Rubber (SR) and Reclaimed Rubber (RR) sectors and tyre and non-tyre sectors
• Review rubber growers' concerns over the stated import of large quantities of natural rubber and resultant impact on domestic prices of rubber
• Review the current methods of procurement, sale and import of rubber (NR) and suggest appropriate polices and instruments for insulating rubber growers from unforeseen risks in production and adverse price movements
• Examine policy and programmes for Government support to rubber plantations and suggest ways of expanding areas under production particularly in NER and LWE affected areas, and improving productivity
• Suggest development and promotion measures necessary for promoting rubber plantation, through integration of rubber production policies & programmes at the State and Central level
• Suggest policies with respect to incentives, taxation, foreign trade licensing and other regulatoy measures, with a view to enhance production of NR and competitiveness of rubber industry
• Review and suggest appropriate welfare measures for the rubber growers and rubber industry workers

Background

The Committee was constituted in light of the concerned expressed by the Government Rubber consuming industries over decline in rubber productivity and availability of various forms of rubber for use of the Industry in the country.

Rubber growers have also agitated on the issue of increased risk to production due to climatic factors and adverse price movements caused by imports.

If you have any Question/Point on the above information, please ask/discuss it in the Current Affairs Group