New Delhi, Feb 17 (KNN) The Indian rubber industry comprising of a fair share of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is badly hit by the shortage of Carbon Black which is used as a raw material for manufacturing of rubber products, All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) informed.

In order to protect the rubber industry, All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) has appealed the centre to look into the matter of rising prices of carbon. The main reason behind the rising price is due to acute shortage of carbon black in the country.

Kamal Chowdhury, President of AIRIA said that due to strict anti-dumping duties the import of carbon black from China, Russia and other surplus countries is prohibited, which leads to sudden shortage of carbon black and in order to bridge the gap small and medium enterprises are left with no option other than approaching the unauthorized markets to buy the carbon black at very high premiums and thus creating immense losses to their business.

Chowdhury further mentioned that this shortage has badly affected the rubber industry as thousands of small units are about to close.

Informing of number he said that this render over 2 lakh people as unemployed.

To aid the rubber industry from this crisis, AIRIA has requested central government's intervention and also made suggestions to bring in policy amendments in action as early as possible to protect the small and medium sized industries.

"The government's Make in India vision can be achieved only if industries across sectors are taken care of", he added.

Listing measures the association has sought review on the anti-dumping duty on carbon black. These kinds of reviews have already been done in past for other materials also, the association added. (With Inputs from a Media Report) (KNN/YV)