Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Shortage of DAP in Punjab
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Malvinder Singh Kang

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2207 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.12.2025

## SHORTAGE OF DAP IN PUNJAB

## 2207:  SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:

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

(a)    the main reasons for the current shortage of DAP fertilizer in Punjab despite the allocations by the Government;

(b)   the manner in which the Union Government proposes to address the said supplydemand gap;

(c)      the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  increased  domestic production and timely import of DAP to meet the growing demand in the State of Punjab during the current and upcoming crop seasons;

(d)   whether the Union Government received any complaints from farmers of Punjab regarding the availability, supply disruptions or black marketing of DAP fertilizer, if so, the details thereof;

- (e)     the steps being taken to mitigate these issues; and
- (f)   whether any actions is being taken by the Union Government to ensure that DAP fertilizer  reaches  the  farmers  of  Punjab  at  the  notified  subsidized  price  without overcharging or hoarding by intermediaries, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b) The availability of DAP in the State of Punjab has remained adequate during the ongoing Rabi 2025-26 season. From 01.04.2025 to 08.12.2025, 4,55,000 Metric Tons of DAP has been made available in the State against the pro-rata requirement of 4,05,000 Metric Tons. The sales during the said period has been 2,98,000 Metric Tons and the State holds closing stock 1,57,000 Metric Tons of DAP.

Further,  the  mandate  of  the  D/o  Fertilizers  is  to  ensure  adequate  availability  of fertilizers at State level. However, the assessment and distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the concerned State government.

Moreover, following steps are taken  by the Government every season for ensuring timely  and  adequate  availability  of  fertilizers  in  the  country,  including  the  State  of Punjab:

(i) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture and  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW),  in  consultation  with  all  the  State  Governments, assesses the State-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.

(ii) On  the  basis  of  requirement  projected  by  DA&FW,  D/o  Fertilizers  allocates adequate  quantities  of  fertilizers  to  States  by  issuing  monthly  supply  plan  and continuously monitors the availability.

(iii) The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country  by  an  on-line  web-based  monitoring  system  called  integrated  Fertilizer Management System (iFMS).

(iv) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents.

(v) Regular  Weekly  Video  Conference  is  conducted  jointly  by  DA&FW  and  D/o Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.

(c) The Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme w.e.f.  01.04.2010  for  Phosphatic  and  Potassic  (P&K)  Fertilizers.    Under  NBS Scheme,  P&K  fertilizers  are  covered  under  Open  General  License  (OGL)  and companies  are  free  to  import/manufacture  these  fertilizers  as  per  their  business dynamics.

Further, to increase domestic fertilizer production and make country self reliant, the following measures have been taken by the Government:

(i) Based on the requests, the new manufacturing units or increase in manufacturing capacity of existing units have been recognized / taken on record under the NBS Scheme.

(ii) The number of P&K fertilizers covered under NBS policy has increased from 22 grades in 2021 to 28 grades.

(iii)  Freight  Subsidy  on SSP,  which is an indigenously manufactured fertilizer, has been approved since Kharif-2022 to promote SSP usage for providing Phosphatic or 'P' nutrient to the soil.

(d)  to  (f)  In  order  to  address  the  issue  of  black-marketing/hoarding,  fertilizers  are declared as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. State Governments are empowered to take action against persons involved in black-marketing/ hoarding, as per provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received at Department of Fertilizers level regarding these malpractices is sent to concerned State Government to take appropriate action under Essential  Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.

Accordingly, as informed by the State government of Punjab, during the FY 2025-26, 04 FIR's have been registered and 03 Letter of Authorizations have been cancelled as  an  enforcement  action  against  the  dealers/agencies  found  involved  in  these malpractices.

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