Scheme for Plantation Development (New planting & Replanting) under Medium Term Framework Plan (MTFP) in Traditional Areas (Kerala and Tamil Nadu), Non-Traditional and North Eastern Region

Description
"Scheme for Plantation Development New planting & Replanting under Medium Term Framework Plan MTFP in Traditional Areas Kerala and Tamil Nadu , Non-Traditional and North Eastern Region" by the Rubber Board, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Scheme is intended to increase the production of natural rubber in India by accelerating new planting and replanting of rubber on scientific lines. Accelerated new planting/replanting would be achieved by giving proper technical guidance and financial assistance to growers.

Benefits
• General Category: ₹ 20,000/- ha + ₹ 5,000 /ha for planting material (Polybag/ Root trainer plants) of advanced growth. The assistance will be @ ₹ 10/- per plant limited to 500 plants per ha.
• SC Category: ₹ 35000/- ha + ₹ 5,000 /ha for planting material (Polybag/ Root trainer plants) of advanced growth. The assistance will be @ ₹ 10/- per plant limited to 500 plants per ha.
• ₹ 35,000 per ha and ₹ 5,000/ ha for planting material (Polybag/ Root trainer plants) of advanced growth.
• The assistance will be @ ₹ 10/- per plant limited to 500 plants per ha.
• Planting subsidy shall be paid in single instalments subject to the completion of the stipulated items of work to the satisfaction of the Board.
• Payment of subsidy shall be only through bank by e-transfer. Beneficiaries should provide Aadhar-linked bank account details in the application for financial assistance.

Eligibility Criteria
1. > **Traditional**
2. The growers owning rubber areas not exceeding 2.00 ha shall be eligible for assistance under Rule VI of the scheme.
3. The planting grant payable will be limited to an area of 1.00 ha.
4. The growers who undertake new planting/replanting rubber in a minimum area of 0.10 ha will be eligible for assistance.
5. The applicant should have absolute possession over the land in respect of which assistance is sought.
6. Areas notified/certified in the documents as paddy fields are not eligible for any kind of assistance under this scheme.
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8. > **Non-Traditional and North Eastern Region**
9. The growers owning rubber areas not exceeding 5.00 ha shall be eligible for assistance under Rule VI of the scheme.
10. The planting grant payable will be limited to an area of 2.00 ha.
11. The growers who undertake new planting/replanting rubber in a minimum area of 0.10 ha will be eligible for assistance.
12. The applicant should have absolute possession over the land in respect of which assistance is sought.
13. Areas notified/certified in the documents as paddy fields are not eligible for any kind of assistance under this scheme.
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15. > **Other Terms &amp; Conditions**
16. The prescribed minimum stand of rubber plants (@450/ha) should be maintained and growth should be satisfactory as assessed by the inspecting officer.
17. The number of non-rubber trees, that already exist in the plantation can be retained in a proportion of 20 trees or 40 coconut palms or 80 Arecanut palms per ha, in a well-distributed manner.
18. Sloppy lands should be protected from soil erosion by contour terracing or construction of contour bunds or digging silt trenches or silt pits and also by planting of cover crops.
19. Boundary protection measures should be adopted.
20. The absolute right to refuse assistance without assigning any reason is vested with the Executive Director of the Rubber Board.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: Register on the ServicePlus Portal. Verify your Email ID and Mobile Number via OTP.
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Step 1: Register on the ServicePlus Portal. Verify your Email ID and Mobile Number via OTP.

Step 2: Step 2: Login to the ServicePlus Portal using the Username and Password received over your registered Email ID.
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Step 2: Login to the ServicePlus Portal using the Username and Password received over your registered Email ID.

Step 3: Step 3: In the Left Pane, click "Apply for Service" and then click on "View All Available Services".
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Step 3: In the Left Pane, click "Apply for Service" and then click on "View All Available Services".

Step 4: Step 4: From the list, click on "RUBBER PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT SCHEME".
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Step 4: From the list, click on "RUBBER PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT SCHEME".

Step 5: Step 5: You will be directed to the application form. Fill in all the mandatory fields (highlighted in a red asterisk).
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Step 5: You will be directed to the application form. Fill in all the mandatory fields (highlighted in a red asterisk).

Step 6: Step 6: Click "Submit". Note down the Application ID/ Reference ID to track the status of your application.
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Step 6: Click "Submit". Note down the Application ID/ Reference ID to track the status of your application.

Required Documents
• Identity Proof (Preferred Documents - Voter ID, PAN, Driving Licence, Passport)
• Photocopy of bank passbook showing name of the Account holder, account number and IFS Code of Bank
• Valid Certificate from Village Officer to prove ownership of the total rubber area owned by the applicant
• Sketch of the applied area showing descriptions of boundary on all sides with names of the owners
• Bill of Planting Material purchased (In the case of 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 plantations, the bill is not mandatory. Instead, a self-declaration containing purchase details is to be uploaded)
• Nomination, if applicable (in case of joint ownership/ minor owner)
• Caste Certificate (in the case of SC Applicants)
• PAH Declaration Form (in the case of PAH)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it mandatory to provide the bill of planting material for certain years?
A: For plantations in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, the bill of planting material is not mandatory. Instead, a self-declaration containing purchase details is to be uploaded.

Q: When is a nomination required in the application?
A: A nomination is required in case of joint ownership or minor ownership. It is included in Annexure-1 of the application.

Q: Re there any specific requirements for SC applicants in terms of documents?
A: SC applicants are required to provide a caste certificate as part of the application.

Q: Is there a requirement to provide a sketch of the applied area?
A: Yes, a sketch of the applied area is required, showing descriptions of boundaries on all sides with the names of the owners.

Q: How is ownership of the rubber area proven in the application?
A: Ownership is established by providing a valid certificate from the Village Officer.

Q: What information should be present in the bank passbook copy?
A: The bank passbook copy should show the name of the account holder, the account number, and the IFS Code of the bank.

Q: What kind of identity proof is preferred for the application?
A: Preferred identity proof documents include Voter ID, PAN card, Driving Licence, or Passport.

Q: How are sloppy lands protected from soil erosion in the plantation?
A: Sloppy lands are protected from soil erosion through measures such as contour terracing, construction of contour bunds, digging silt trenches or pits, and planting of cover crops.

Q: Can non-rubber trees be retained in the plantation, and if so, what is the limit?
A: Yes, non-rubber trees can be retained, with a maximum of 20 trees, 40 coconut palms, or 80 areca nut palms per hectare, distributed evenly.

Q: What conditions are set for maintaining rubber plantations in terms of plant density?
A: Rubber plantations should maintain a minimum stand of 450 plants per hectare. The growth must also be satisfactory, as assessed by the inspecting officer.

Q: How is the planting subsidy disbursed in Non-Traditional and North Eastern Regions?
A: In these regions, the planting subsidy is also paid in a single installment upon satisfactory completion of stipulated work items. The payment method is exclusively through bank e-transfer, with the requirement of Aadhar-linked bank account details in the application.

Q: What is the subsidy structure for Non-Traditional and North Eastern Regions?
A: In these regions, the subsidy is [?]35,000 per hectare with an additional [?]5,000 per hectare for planting material. Similar to the Traditional Region, the planting material subsidy is [?]10 per plant, limited to 500 plants per hectare.

Q: How is the planting subsidy disbursed in the Traditional Region?
A: The planting subsidy is paid in a single installment, provided that the stipulated work items are satisfactorily completed. The payment is exclusively through bank e-transfer, requiring Aadhar-linked bank account details in the application.

Q: What are the key benefits provided under the Scheme for Plantation Development in Kerala and Tamil Nadu?
A: In the Traditional Region, general category growers receive [?]20,000 per hectare along with [?]5,000 per hectare for planting material. For SC category growers, the subsidy is [?]35,000 per hectare, also with [?]5,000 per hectare for planting material. The subsidy for planting material is capped at [?]10 per plant for up to 500 plants per hectare.