Lok Sabha Question No. 385 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-23
Subject: Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal, Feroze Varun Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 385* TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.03.2021

## Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy

*385. SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has finalised the Direct Benefit Transfer model for fertilizer subsidy to farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken any consultations for implementation of the said model and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of farmers and farming households in the country who have received Direct Benefit Transfer of fertilizer subsidy since 2018 till date, State-wise; and
- (d) the total amount of funds disbursed in this regard, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRIDVSADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the House\_

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2021 REGARDING "DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER OF FERTILIZER SUBSIDY"

- (a) No Sir. Government has not taken final decision for implementation of of India has implemented Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in fertilizer sector under which about 2.26 lakh PoS devicesl PoS desktop software have been installed at retail outlets across the country: Under the DBT system, sale of all subsidized fertilizers to farmerslbuyers is Point of Sale (PoS) devices installed at each retailer shop and the beneficiaries are identified through Aadhaar Card, KCC, Voter Identity Card etc. and subsidy payment on various fertilizer grades is being released to the fertilizer companies on weekly basis, on the basis of actual sales made by the retailers to the beneficiaries through Point of Sale (PoS) devices installed at each retailer shop. yet
- (b) Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) of fertilizer subsidy to farmers has been under discussion at various forums. A Committee of  Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary has been setup to develop the broad contours of the DCT framework under which DCT to farmers can be implemented: The CoS in its meeting held on 16.01.2020 has, inter-alia, recommended to constitute a Nodal Committee to be CO-chaired by Secretaries of Department of Fertilizers and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare to formulate and implement Direct Cash Transfer in Fertilizers. Accordingly, a Nodal Committee has been constituted vide DoF's O.M No\_ 15011/21/2019 dated 1stJune, 2020. The Nodal Committee has held two meetings on 25.06.2020 and 28.10.2020. However, no decision has been taken for implementation of Direct Cash Transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers. yet

Further;, vide notification dated 04.05.2020, Department of Fertilizers has constituted Chintan Shivir Working Group on Direct Benefit Transfer to Farmer under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers. The Working Groupis tasked to examine the feasibility of introducing a direct fertilizer subsidy transfer to farmers, criteria for selection of farmers and their entitlement; criteria for   determining the amount of  subsidy to be   transferred to farmers accounts, periodicity of subsidy transfer; etc. The Working Group has held several meetings with all the stakeholders. However , no decision has been taken for implementation of Direct Cash Transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers. yet

- (c) & (d): In view of reply to (a) and (b) above, question does not arise.

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