Indian government firms up national rubber policy

ERJ staff report (BC)

New Delhi – The Indian government is working on a comprehensive national policy for the rubber sector to address “a host” of issues being faced by growers and the industry, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. "An inter-ministerial panel, with representatives from all stakeholders, will soon be set up to work on a draft national policy on rubber," a senior government official told PTI.

The policy will tackle supply and demand projection and a balance between the interests of growers and industry, the official said. A panel is proposed, headed by the Commerce Secretary, to consult with growers, consumers and industry experts before drafting a national policy.

With rising demand for rubber from the auto sector, the need for a national policy was felt as at present the concerns of the rubber sector are being handled by two or three agencies under various ministries.

The official observed that there is a need to rationalise domestic rubber prices to avoid growers being hit by steep falls in prices when imports rise. On the other hand, since manufacturing depends on rubber imports to meet its shortages, it would be unreasonable to discourage it from sourcing raw materials overseas.

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