Date:13/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/13/stories/2004081301461900.htm

Back Kerala CM's plea on rubber import

Our Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Chief Minister, Mr A. K. Antony, has requested the Union Commerce Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, to withdraw forthwith the decision to lift the restriction on ports for canalising rubber imports.

An official spokesman quoted the Chief Minister as pointing out in a communication to the Union Minister that the decision to restrict imports to specially assigned ports was taken by the erstwhile NDG Government with the intention of checking the slide in domestic prices of natural rubber.

The State Government also had repeatedly requested the Centre to this effect in response to which a decision was taken to limit the imports through the ports of Kolkata and Visakapatnam.

This had the effect of bringing down the imports to the level of 44,190 tonnes during the last year. But, as per latest statistics, the imports had crossed 23,376 tonnes during the period up to July this financial year.

The decision to lift the restriction, facilitating import of rubber through any port of choice, is feared to steep fall in prices of rubber, the Chief Minister said. He wanted restoration of the earlier regime at the earliest available opportunity.