Context: The Rubber Board, jointly with the Central government and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, is implementing a project to expand the area under natural rubber in the Northeastern States.
About the Rubber Board
- The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India, under the Rubber Act 1947, for the overall development of the rubber industry in the country.
- The Rubber Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Government of India.
- Head Office: Kottayam, Kerala
- Composition: As per Section 4(3) of the Act, The Board shall consist of:
- A Chairman to be appointed by the Central Government;
- Two members to represent the State of Tamil Nadu, one of whom shall be a person representing the rubber producing interests;
- Eight members to represent the State of Kerala, six of whom shall be persons representing the rubber producing interests, three of such six being persons representing the small growers;
- Ten members to be nominated by the Central Government, of whom two shall represent the manufacturers and four labour; Three members to be nominated by the Central Government, of whom two shall be from the Department of Commerce and one from the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation;
- Three members of Parliament, of whom two shall be elected by the House of People (Lok Sabha) and one by the Council of States ( Rajya Sabha);
- The Executive Director, ex-officio; and
- The Rubber Production Commissioner, ex-officio.
Functions
The functions of the Board as defined under the Act are:
- To promote by such measures as it thinks fit the development of the rubber industry by:
- undertaking, assisting or encouraging scientific, technological or economic research.
- training students in improved methods of planting, cultivation, manuring and spraying.
- the supply of technical advice to rubber growers.
- improving the marketing of rubber.
- the collection of statistics from owners of estates, dealers and manufacturers.
- securing better working conditions and the provision and improvement of amenities and incentives to workers.
- carrying out any other duties which may be vested with the Board as per rules made under this Act.
- It shall also be the duty of the Board:
- to advise the Central Government on all matters relating to the development of the rubber industry, including the import and export of rubber.
- to advise the Central Government with regard to participation in any international conference or scheme relating to rubber.
- to submit to the Central Government and such other authorities as may be prescribed, half yearly reports on its activities and the working of this Act, and
- to prepare and furnish such other reports relating to the rubber industry as may be required by the Central Government from time to time.
