Ms Sheela Thomas, Rubber Board Chairperson, has invited suggestions from all the stakeholders for formulating the Board's schemes for the 12th Five Year Plan to be implemented from the year 2012-13.
The development schemes of the Board are part of Five Year Plans implemented by the Government of India. The current schemes in the 11th Plan are ending in 2011-12. Ms Sheela Thomas said that an evaluation of these schemes would be conducted so as to generate inputs for the formulation of 12th Plan schemes. Internationally renowned agricultural scientist and Member of Parliament Dr MS Swaminathan would chair the National Committee which has been constituted for the evaluation. The committee comprising experts from different disciplines would critically look into all the schemes being implemented in the fields of production, processing and marketing of NR and also research in rubber.
In order to give an opportunity for all sections of the public to have their say in plan formulation, the Board has scheduled a series of consultations with various segments of rubber industry stakeholders, she said. The first such meeting would be conducted at Kottayam soon.
Simultaneously, stakeholders can give online observations on the current schemes and suggestions for the 12th Plan, by logging on to the Board's Web site www.rubberboard.org.in . They could either key in their proposals in the suggestion box or attach a file. Details of the 11th Plan schemes of the Board are made available on the site, for ready reference.
She said that the observations and suggestions received from the stakeholders would be considered seriously while formulating the 12th Plan proposals of the Board, subject to the guidelines and priorities set up by Government of India and Planning Commission.