Lok Sabha Question No. 1722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-11
Subject: Black Marketing of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Mohammad Jawed, Malook Nagar, Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1722 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 11.02.2022

## Black Marketing of Fertilizers

1722: DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH:

NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

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

- (a) whether any protest by the farmers have been reported due to shortage of fertilizer in Bihar and if so, the action taken by the Government to alleviate this crisis at the earliest;
- (b) whether the Government has proposed to procure and provide subsidised or free fertilizer to the affected farmers during the rabi season owing to shortage of fertilizers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government also proposes to provide financial or material compensation to the farmers injured during the stampede taken place in Araria district; Bihar for getting fertilizer and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the black marketing of fertilizers in various districts of Bihar and if s0, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any measures have been taken or specific policy framed to regulate the illegal sale and black-marketing of fertilizers and if the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE &CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b): No Sir. Adequate quantity of fertilizer are available in the state of Bihar: However, in between Rabi 2021-22 season, State Govt.  highlighted shortfall of DAP fertilizer, particularly in few districts   Accordingly, based on the request of State Government; DAP rakes were moved to meet the requirement:
- (c): As per the report from the State Government of Bihar; the incidence took place in Araria district due to random gathering at retail point. However, there is no case of severe injury reported and all the farmers were reported to be safe.

- (d): Yes Sir. As per the report received from the State , Government of Bihar has taken various steps under Zero Tolerance Policy to ensure timely availability of fertilizer at right price. Strict action is being taken against the guilty fertilizer dealerslcompanylofficers and staff, The district wise detail of raidslinspection conducted in Rabi Season 2021-22 & actions taken are as follows:
- (e): Government of India has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act; 1955 and notified Fertilizer Control Order , 1985 and Fertilizer (Movement Control) Order, 1973. State Governments have been adequately empowered to ensure selling of fertilizers at MRP besides stopping black marketing/smuggling of fertilizers. State Governments are adequately empowered to conduct search, make seizures and take punitive action against any person violating provisions of Essential Commodities Act; 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order 1985.

|   No. of Raids |   FIR lodged |   Licence cancelled |   License suspended |   Show Cause notices issued |
|----------------|--------------|---------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------|
|           5553 |          133 |                 263 |                  75 |                         246 |

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