Lok Sabha Question No. 3266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: Fertilizer Supply in Remote Areas
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3266

TO BE ANSWERED ON:

06.12.2016

## Fertilizer supply in remote areas

## 3266   DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL:

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

- (a) the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  supply  of  fertilizers  in farflung, hilly and naxal affected areas;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  capable,  transparent,  responsible and accountable mechanism in this context;
- (c) If so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  action  against  the  guilty  companies so far; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to remove the shortcomings in future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE   MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS, SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a)to (e):   The details of steps taken by the Government to ensure supply of fertilizers in the country including far-flung, hilly and naxal affected areas is given below:

- (I) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DAC&FW),  in  consultation  with  all the State Governments, assesses the requirement of fertilizers. After assessment of requirement, DAC&FW projects month-wise requirement of fertilizers.

(II)    On the basis of month-wise & state-wise projection given by DAC&FW, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/ adequate quantities of fertilizers to States (including farflung,  hilly  and  naxal  affected  States)  by  issuing  monthly  supply  plan  and  continuously monitors the availability through following system:

-: 2 :-

- (i) The  movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored throughout  the  country  by  an  on-line  web  based  monitoring  system  called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
- (ii) 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.
- (iii) 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.
- (iv) The  gap  between  demand  (requirement)  and  production  is  met  through imports. The import for the season is also finalised well in advance to ensure timely availability.

Further, Government provides freight subsidy on Primary movement of Urea and P&K fertilizers.  Also freight subsidy on Secondary movement of Urea and special compensation for freight subsidy on account of Secondary movement of P&K fertilizers (except  SSP)  is  given  in  the  difficult  areas  namely  Himachal  Pradesh,  Uttarakhand, Sikkim,J&K, 7 North Eastern States and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to ensure supply of fertilizers in far-flung/hilly areas.

Due to the above efforts Department of Fertilizers has ensured availability of fertilizers  in  all  States.  However,  distribution  within  the  State  as  per  requirement  is  the responsibility  of  the  concerned  State  Government.    The  availability  of  fertilizers  is adequate in the country and there is no report of shortage.

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