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Industry flays Govt stand on rubber imports

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Aug. 8

TWO prominent rubber user industry associations have termed the Commerce Ministry's decision to continue the ban on import of natural rubber under Advance Licensing Scheme (ALS) and at the same time discontinue the STC scheme of supply of natural rubber at international prices for export of rubber based goods as ``unjustified'' and ``discriminatory''.

In a joint statement, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) and the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) said such a move was in contradiction to the general thrust given to exports.

``Singling out rubber-based industries and denying them this facility is a blatant discrimination, when many industries are making use of the scheme,'' the joint statement said.

The two associations claimed that rubber trade in Kerala had virtually come to a halt on account of uncertainties involved in the turnover tax of 1.5 per cent imposed on dealers. They also contended that the Government's move to announce ``minimum statut ory price'' for natural rubber may, apart from enhancing the possibility of price increase of rubber, would further create ``havoc in the trading of rubber''.