CM pushing for a hike in subsidy for rubber growers

KOTTAYAM: Support for Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) from local self-government bodies and panchayats was under the consideration of the state government, chief minister Oommen Chandy said here on Tuesday. He was inaugurating the year-long silver jubilee celebrations of RPS at the Mammen Mappilai Hall. here.
"The government is seriously considering giving support to RPS from a share of project funds," he said.He also said that the Planning Board had taken a decision regarding that in 2005 but an approval did not come from the government then. "Now the matter is back with the Planning Board," he said. Higher Subsidy
Chandy said that his government had brought the issues faced by rubber planters to the attention of the central government. "The most important recommendation is about the subsidy given for replanting of rubber. This amount was fixed years ago and is still the same. Considering the expenses connected with farming these days, that amount is meagre. The Rubber Board has recommended increase of the subsidy to Rs 50,000. The state government has requested the Centre to consider this demand of the board as one from the state itself," said Chandy.
He said that the agricultural sector was the strength of the state and rubber occupied a prominent place in it. He lauded the Rubber Board for playing an active role in achieving that place. Revenue minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan presided over the function. Sheela Thomas IAS, chairman, Rubber Board, welcomed the gathering.
The chief minister presented the Suvarna Sangham Award for the best RPS to Chirakadavu RPS. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan presented the citation and handed over the cash award to K E Chacko, president of RPS.
Rubber Board Member Joseph Vazhackan MLA presented the farmer innovation award to Abraham Anchani for having developed the tapping shade.
P C Cyriac IAS (Rtd.), former Chairman, Rubber Board introduced the concept of RPS to the meeting. P Mukundan Menon, former Rubber Production Commissioner introduced the best RPS selected for the award, to the gathering.
The Chief Minister honoured P C Cyriac, P Mukundan Menon and Dr A K Krishnakumar while Sreedevi received the award on behalf of her late husband P K Narayanan (former Rubber Production Commissioner) for their valuable services in pushing forward the concept of the RPS in their formative years.