Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Need To Ban The Import Of Natural Rubber. on 6 February, 2014
> Title: Regarding need to ban the import of natural rubber.
SHRI ANTO ANTONY (PATHANAMATHITTA): I request the Government to kindly stop the import of natural rubber under Open General License (OGL). According to the Rubber Board, India had a stock of 275000 tonnes of rubber until 31 December 2013. Our production during the period from 15 January 2014 to 30 April 2014 would be approximately 200,000 tonnes and the consumption is estimated to be 350,000 tonnes. This shows that our excess stock would be 125000 tonnes of natural rubber by the end of the Financial Year. Our stockpile of natural rubber will be doubled if its import is not blocked. Moreover, rubber import will result in sharp decline of its prices since adequate natural rubber is available in our domestic markets. This will adversely affect Kerala economy as the State accounts for 90 per cent of natural rubber production in the country. Therefore, I request the Government to take urgent steps in this regard.