Centre betrayed the rubber farmers: BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala unit, today alleged that the Union government had betrayed the over 11 lakh rubber farmers in the state by their decision to reduce rubber import duty to 7.5%.

Speaking to mediapersons here, AN Radhakrishnan, general
secretary, BJP state unit, said alleged that the agriculture sector has been totally destroyed as a result of the anti-people policies pursued by both the ruling LDF as well as the congress-led UDF.

The state government was getting Rs 400 crore as tax from the rubber sector in Kerala, he said.

The Centre's decision would adversely affect the farmers in Kerala, he said, adding the state government should raise strong protest against the reduction of import duty. 

Since over 92% of the national production of rubber was produced from Kerala, the state government and Rubber Board has moral responsibility to safeguard the interests of the rubber farmers in the state, he said.

BJP demands the Centre to reconsider their decision to reduce the import duty, he said.