Lok Sabha Question No. 2235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-31
Subject: Modernisation of Rake Points
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2235 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 31.07.2018

## Modernization of Rake Points

## 2235 SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether due to non-availability of required infrastructure at existing rake points and provision of new rake and two points rakes, supply of fertilizers and its distribution is affected a lot and if so, the details thereof; point
- b) whether the State Government of Odisha is forced to assist Dealer with handling charges amounting to 5.00 crores annually for ensuring smooth distribution of different fertilizers and their sale at right price to farmers;
- (d) whether the Ministry for   supply of balance allocation of Urea along with other fertilizers during season? peak
- (c) whether the Ministry of Railways and Central Government has taken some steps for modernization of notification of new rake points and provision of two points rakes at proposed places; and

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT   CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a): Madam: There is no report from any State regarding non-availability of fertilizers due to infrastructural issues. The supply and distribution of fertilizers has not been hampered on account of lazk of required infrastructure and provision for two- point rakes: No,
- (b): Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers  Welfare (DAC&FW) in consultation with Statesl UTs assesses the requirement of all subsidized fertilizers before the start of each Season: Department of Fertilizers ensures availability of fertilizers at the State level. Further; fertilizers are transported across the country from portslplants through raill roads and the   freight charges are borne by Government of India: With the existing arrangements availability of fertilizers has been adequate in the  country   including Odisha: Further, there is no report regarding Odisha is forced to assist Dealer with handling charges amounting to 5.00 crores annually for ensuring smooth distribution of different fertilizers and their sale at right price to farmers.

(c) Infrastructure at any rake point is provided as per quantum of traffic handled at that terminal. Improvement of existing rake points, notification of new rake points and provision of two points rake is a need based ongoing continuous process of Indian Railways: In the last two years, 20 works of rake points improvement have been sanctioned: In addition, a new liberalized mini rake and two points loading policy for covered rakes has been introduced in 2016-17 .

(d): Following steps are being taken by the Government to monitor and to ensure adequate and timely availability of Urea along with other fertilizers to the farmers: -

- 1 The month-wise demand is assessed and projected by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) in consultation with the State Governments before commencement of each cropping season:
- 2 On the basis ofmonth-wise & Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficientl adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability through following system:
- The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored throughout the country by an o-line web based monitoring system also called as Fertilizer Monitoring System (FMS);
- b The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers of fertilizers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents for railway rakes through their state institutional agencies like Markfed etc.
- C. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of Fertilizers (DoF), and Ministry of Railways with State Agriculture Officials  and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
- d\_ The gap between demand   (requirement) and   production is met through import: