Indian Rubber Board provides financial assistance to smallholders

THE Rubber Board has said that it will provide funds of up to Rs25 lakh to the Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPSs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) to develop various primary infrastructure facilities for the strengthening of smallholder sector.

The assistance for setting up of input distribution centre is 50% of the actual rent of the building (maximum Rs.500/- per month). The RPSs and SHGs will also be provided with a portion of their expense for setting up of a common service centre, rubber nursery and labour bank.

The scheme has also provisions to support RPSs for pollution control and environment protection measures in their community processing centres. Such smallholders will be assisted with 50% of the actual expenditure or maximum Rs1 lakh, whichever is less for setting up a new effluent treatment plant.(RJA)