THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The much-awaited subsidy to ensure a minimum price of `150/kg for rubber for growers under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme (RPIS), became a reality on Wednesday.
The scheme, which is purportedly aimed at retaining the support base of the UDF in Central Travancore, has given fresh hopes to farmers, even as its sustainability remains highly doubtful.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy launched the online transfer of subsidy to farmers’ bank accounts at a function held here.Finance Minister K M Mani, who has been the driving force behind the formulation of the scheme, and Additional Chief Secretary (finance) Dr K M Abraham and Rubber Board acting chairman Dr A Jayatilak, among others, were present at the function.
The Chief Minister, on the occasion, made a fervent plea to the Centre to shoulder the burden of providing financial incentives and necessary support to the crisis-hit rubber growers in the state. “If the Centre is of the view that the state itself should take the responsibility, a financial package should be announced to carry forward the scheme,” he said.