Cong wants ban on rubber import

Demanding a ban on import of rubber or a hike in import duties to protect local farmers in Kerala, Congress on Wednesday threatened to bring a privilege motion against the Government for not convening a meeting with Kerala MPs to discuss the plight of rubber-growers in the State.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge charged the Government of not fulfilling its promise made in the last Winter Session to deliberate the issue with Kerala MPs. He threatened to bring a privilege motion against Centre.

The issue was raised in the lok Sabha during Zero Hour by Antony (Cong), who demanded the Centre should either ban the import of rubber or hike import duties to protect the local farmers who were hit by the falling prices of rubber. Many other MPs, especially from Kerala which is the largest producer of rubber in the country, supported Congress MP.

Kharge and other members said the Parliamentary Affairs Minister had in the Winter Session assured them that he would ask the Minister concerned to call a meeting of members from Kerala, but that has not happened yet. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan assured the members that she would speak to the Minister on the issue.