Lok Sabha Question No. 2967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Rubber Board
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2967 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  AUGUST, 2022

## RUBBER BOARD

## 2967.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently reconstituted the Rubber Board;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the names of the Members of Rubber Board;
- (c) whether the Rubber Board has been reconstituted as per the guidelines of Rubber Act 1947;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereto;
- (e) whether the Government intends to bring amendments to the Rubber Act 1947;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (g) whether the Government has sought recommendations/suggestions from all stake holders in this regard and if, so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (d): In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Rubber Act, 1947 (24 of 1947) read with rules 3 and 4 of the Rubber Rules, 1955, the Government has reconstituted the Rubber Board vide extraordinary Gazette notification No. S.O. 2980 (E) dated 28.06.2022. The details regarding members of the Rubber Board is attached as Annexure.

(e)  to  (g): There  have  been  widespread  changes  in  the  overall  market  scenario  with  reference  to  the development of Rubber and allied sector in the country.  Therefore, to remove certain archaic provisions to create a conducive environment  for ease of doing  business and for making a world class Rubber Industry, the  Government considers it expedient to repeal the existing Rubber Act 1947 and enact  a new legislation. In  this  regard,  a  draft  Bill  'Rubber  (Promotion  and  Development)  Bill  2022'  was  hosted  in  the  official website of this Department and Rubber Board for wider consultation and seeking comments/ suggestions from public/ stakeholders. 522 stakeholders and public have submitted their objections/suggestions on the draft 'Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill 2022'. Last date to receive the objections/suggestions was 9th  April  2022.  Recommendations/suggestions  have  been  received  regarding  definitions,  objectives, constitution  of  the  Board,  functions,  provision  relating  to  minimum  and  maximum  price  for  rubber, declaration of Minimum Support Price, provisions for declaring status of rubber as agriculture produce, request not to repeal the Rubber Act 1947, etc.

*******

Following persons are members of the Rubber Board:-

1. Dr. Sawar Dhanania - Chairman
2. Dr. Sandeep Saxena, I.A.S. - Member; Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu,
3. Shri Anil Kumar G - Member;
4. Dr. Rathan U Kelkar, IAS - Member; Secretary, Agricultural Development & Farmers Welfare Department, Govt. of Kerala,
5. Dr. K. Ellangovan, IAS - Member; Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, Government Secretariat, Govt. of Kerala,
6. Shri. N. Hari - Member;
7. Shri Prasenjit Biswas IFS (Rtd.), Tripura - Member;
8. Director or Deputy Secretary (Plantation), Department of Commerce - Member
9. Under Secretary (Plantation), Department of Commerce - Member
10.  Horticulture  Commissioner,  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  Department  of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India - Member
11. Shri. N.K. Premachandran - Member, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
12. Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel, - Member, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
13. Shri Vinay Dinu Tendulkar, - Member, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
14. Executive Director, Rubber Board - Member Ex-officio
15. Rubber Production Commissioner, Rubber Board - Member Ex-officio.

*****

## ANNEXURE