Question : CONSUMPTION OF RUBBER H

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 266 FOR ANSWER ON 29TH NOVEMBER 2010 REGARDING “CONSUMPTION OF RUBBER”

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The domestic consumption of natural rubber(NR) continues to rise consistently over the years as may be seen from the details given below:-

(tonnes)

Year	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	(April to	October)

Consumption	801,110	820,305	861,455	871,720	930,565	550,550

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Government has received representations from the Rubber consuming industries including the tyre manufactures’ organisations for reduction of import duty on natural rubber. The Government takes policy decisions on such matters from time to time, keeping in view the interest of all stakeholders as Government is deeply concerned with the welfare and sustainable existence of the rubber sector as a whole. The entire situation including the price trends, import trends and supply of natural rubber in the domestic market is closely monitored by the Government.

(e): Several programmes covering research, extension and provision of financial assistance are being implemented by Rubber Board of India under 11th Five Year Plan to increase natural rubber production through new planting, replanting of uneconomic plantations, productivity enhancement and extension of rubber cultivation in non-traditional areas including North East Region. Moreover, the initiatives taken by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals are aimed at increasing the investment in the petrochemical sector with a view to enhance the production of synthetic rubber.