‘Import under advance licence will push down rubber price’

Kochi: The Kerala State Cooperative Rubber Marketing Federation Limited, president K Joseph Monippally, has appealed to the Union Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran, to continue the ban on import of natural rubber under Advance Licence Scheme.

Mr Monippally, in a letter to the minister, copy of which was released to the press here, said import under advance licence would push down the prices in the domestic market, which would adversely affect the interest of rubber growers.

“There is sufficient stock of natural rubber and this is revealed by official figures in the possession of the Rubber Board” he said adding “whenever the manufacturing industry was in need and whenever they requested, the Rubber Marketing Federation and the traders have supplied their requirements”.

He said if import under advance licence was permitted, it would only add to the surplus stock available in the country. “After the rainy season, the peak production season has already started and a bumper crop is expected which will come to the market shortly”, he added.

-- PTI