Question : Rubber Act

(a) whether there is any proposal to amend/repeal the Rubber Act, 1947;
(b) if so, the reasons for the same and the details of the proposed amendments;
(c) whether the Government has obtained the opinion of the Rubber Board, representatives of rubber planters, representatives of rubber industries, and other interested parties on the proposed amendments to the Rubber Act and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is considering a reduction in budget allocation to the Rubber Board in the form of various subsidies such as new plantation, replantation, etc. during the current financial year and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the rubber planters have great concern over the above mentioned factors and if so, the steps being taken by the Government for redressal of their grievances?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): There is no proposal to repeal the Rubber Act, 1947. However, to bring the provisions of the Rubber Act, 1947 in tune with the current realities, Rubber Board has proposed certain amendments in the Rubber Act, 1947, on issues like applicability of the Act to whole of India, repealing of sections relating to cess on rubber on account of being subsumed in GST etc.
(c): The amendments were discussed and recommended at the 179th meeting of the Rubber Board held on 05.11.2019 which was also attended by special invitees representing stakeholder associations from the rubber sector.
(d) & (e): The budget allocation of the Rubber Board for the year 2020-21 under BE was Rs. 221.34 Crore and was Rs. 187.69 Crore at RE stage. The allocation for the year 2021-22 for the Rubber Board is Rs. 190 Crore. Further, the scheme ‘Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector’ is being continued for the benefit of the sector.
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