GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2156

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01^st JANUARY,2018

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FACED BY RUBBER BOARD

2156. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY  be pleased to state:

• whether the Government is aware that over 10 lakh people are involved in the growing of rubber in the State of Kerala;

• whether the Government has reduced the funding for the Rubber Board in 2017-18 and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for reduction in financial assistance to the Rubber Board;

• whether the Government is aware of the financial difficulties being faced by the Rubber Board that they did not even have funds to disburse subsidies for planting and replanting trees for the year 2015-16;

• if so, whether the Government will take specific measures to remedy the financial difficulties faced by the Rubber Board; and
• if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a): There are around 13.2 lakhsrubber smallholdings in the country, out of which around 9 lakhs are in the State of Kerala.

• to (e): Due to budget constraints, funding to the Commodity Boards including the Rubber Board, has been reduced in the last two years which resulted in insufficient funds for disbursement of subsidies. The matter has been actively taken up with the Ministry of Finance. For the Medium Term Framework (2017-18 to 2019-20), an amount of Rs. 721.98 crores have been approved for Rubber Board as per details below which includes the amount required for payment of pending subsidies.

Approved outlay for Medium Term Framework (Rs. in crores)