Question : Expert Committee in Rubber Sector

a) whether the Government has set up an Expert Committee in the Rubber Sector to examine the relevant issues and recommend National Policy on Rubber, if so, the composition and terms of references thereof;
b) whether the Committee has since submitted its report to the Government and National Policy on Rubber has been finalised;
c) if so, the recommendations made by the Committee and salient features of the policy along with the follow-up action taken by the Government thereon; and
d) if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which the Committee is likely to submit its report?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a): The Government of India constituted an Expert Committee on June 16, 2014 to examine issues relating to production, development and exports of rubber and related products and make recommendations for a broad based policy relating to all types of rubber i.e. Natural Rubber(NR), Synthetic Rubber (SR) and Reclaimed Rubber (RR). The Expert Committee is headed by the Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce and consists of experts and stakeholders of rubber industry including representatives of relevant Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, State Governments of Kerala and Tripura, Rubber Board, Associations of NR growers, Associations of rubber based industries including manufacturers of tyres, latex, block rubber, synthetic rubber and academic & research oriented institutions in the government and the non-governmental sector.

As per the Terms of Reference (TORs), the Expert Committee is mandated to examine issues related to rubber production, development, consumption and exports and suggest a National Policy on Rubber in the interest of both the growers as well as consumers. The TORs include examination of all issues related to Natural Rubber, Synthetic Rubber and Reclaimed Rubber and review of relevant policies and programmes in the interest of faster and equitable growth of the sector.

(b): The Committee has not submitted its final report on the National Policy on Rubber.

(c): Does not arise.

(d): The Committee has engaged itself in wide consultation with various segments of industry and farmers. The final report is contingent on conclusion of the process of consultations.

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