Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has opposed Centre’s move to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, saying it would further worsen the crisis in the state’s cash crops sector.
Agriculture Minister V S Sunilkumar while replying to a notice for an adjournment motion in the assembly on the problems faced by rubber growers, said the state had already written to Centre in this regard.
“We oppose the RCEP. We have asked the Centre to consult with the state before finalising the commodity character in the agreement,” he said, adding once the agreement comes into force, cash crops, including rubber, would be allowed to import without duty. The state would take up the matter with Centre again, Sunilkumar said.
He also blamed the economic policies of the previous Congress-led UPA government and the present BJP-led NDA for the crisis being faced in the rubber and agriculture sector.
RCEP is a mega trade deal which aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights.
Referring to the crisis faced in rubber sector in the state, Sunilkumar said nearly 12 lakh rubber growers are facing problems due to fall in price of natural rubber, but asserted that the government has initiated steps to redress the issue within its limitations.
The current price of natural rubber is Rs 113 per kg.
