AGARTALA, December 11 (TIWN): Rubber plantations in Tripura are going through a bad phase due to continuous slash in prices. All on a sudden rubber prices across the states are now decreasing leafing to serious concern for Tripura. Over the last one decade rubber plantation in Tripura has evolved as a new genre of economic activity.

Many people especially the tribals living in remote areas have flourished by means of rubber plantation. But the recent slash has been affecting them very badly. Even three or four months before the piece of rubber sheet that was used to be sold @ Rs 260/- to Rs 280/- , now the same sheet is being sold  merely @ Rs 80/- to Rs 90/- . Being compelled by the recent slash in prices , many rubber planters are now planning to shift from rubber plantation for their survival.  

Meanwhile,   Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce had a prolonged discussion on the recent slash of the price of natural rubber and rubber industry in the country. Speaking to TIWN, Tripura MP Jitendra Choudhury, who is also a member of this high level committee said," The Committee is likely to spend two days in Tripura. During this time the Committee members may visit the Border Haat, ICP and Rubber Park in Tripura." 
In that meeting, the members of the Standing Committee has decided to conduct a thorough study on the pros and cons of the ongoing spite by involving the all segments of the stakeholders, ie; the growers, workers, industry and traders.There are more than 20 lakhs rubber growers in the country, mostly marginal and small farmers, who are the worse victim of the spite.
 Standing Committee has decided to physically visit two rubber growing States, Tripura and Kerala and the rubber based industries in Kolkata and Chennai.The committee shall directly hear from the growers, workers and industry. The first spell of visit shall cover Tripura and Kolkata from 5-8 January,2015 .On the  second phase the Committee  will go to Kerala and Chennai from 2-5 February,2015.