Kerala FM seeks rubber subsidy for farmers in state

Terming the Centre's decision to keep Kerala out of the Rubber Subsidy Scheme as a blow to rubber growers in the state, Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani today sought reconsideration of the decision.
Mani met Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here and submitted a memorandum in which he said that the Centre's decision has come at a time when farmers are seeking enhancement of subsidy in the wake of falling rubber prices.
"The recent decision of the Central Government to keep the state out of Rubber Subsidy scheme is also a big blow to the farmers in Kerala. It is at a time when the farmers are pressing for enhancement of Rubber Subsidy and reeling under a sharp fall in Rubber Price from Rs 240 to Rs 120 per kg," Mani said in the memorandum.

Citing news reports, he said that the Rubber Board has decided not to entertain applications from Kerala for subsidy of Rs 25,000 per hectare for re-plantation of rubber. Kerala is major producer of natural rubber.
He also sought appointment of a new Chairman and members of the Rubber Board as the term of the last Rubber Board expired in 2014.