The Hindu : Minister's plea to Vajpayee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Minister's plea to Vajpayee

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 6. The Kerala Water Resources Minister, T. M. Jacob, has urged the Centre to include rubber and coir in the list of agricultural products for purposes relating to the WTO-agreement.

He sent a fax message to the Prime Minister today arguing that it was unfair to the farmers to treat rubber and coir as industrial raw materials outside the protection of a higher import tariff. The farmers of Kerala had to bear the brunt of this policy of the Centre.

Mr. Jacob reminded the Prime Minister about the promise he had given to the people of the State during his visit to Kumarakom in December, 2000.

`You had promised Kerala that rubber and coir would be included in the list of agricultural products.

If the WTO stipulations do not allow it, India should press for a change in the conditions,'' he said.

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