Kottayam Panchayat Seeks ₹401-a-Day Rubber Tapping Jobs Under Rural Scheme

1 articles · Updated · The Hindu · Jul 23

Kottayam district panchayat has asked the Union and Kerala governments to include rubber tapping in the revamped rural jobs scheme as a shortage of skilled workers leaves thousands of trees untapped.
Rubber has traded above ₹250 a kg for two months, but many growers still cannot benefit because plantations lack tappers despite record prices.
The proposal would let small and marginal growers who tap their own plots get labour cards, while trained women workers could secure up to 125 days of work annually at ₹401 a day.
Rubber Board chairman N. Hari backed the move and said the Board had already raised it with the Union government, though the Centre had earlier cited technical hurdles.