Thalassery Archbishop Pamplany promises the backing of Christians if the Centre increases the MSP for natural rubber to ₹300 a kilogram.
Mar Joseph Pamplany, the Archbishop of Thalassery, wearing the traditional farmers' cap. (Supplied).
A day before the announcement of the 2024 general elections, the Rubber Board in Kerala’s Kottayam announced an incentive of ₹5 per kg for the export of rubber sheets. According to sources, this is expected to drive up the prices of natural rubber. Incidentally, the announcement coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pathanamthitta, a rubber belt.