Lok Sabha Question No. 2966 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-15
Subject: Distribution of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## 2966:

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2966

TO BE ANSWERED

ON : 15.03.2016

## Distribution of  Fertilizers

SHRI P. K. BIJU:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  sale  and  distribution  of  sub-standard fertilizers;
- (b) the action taken against the persons /business houses accused of sale and distribution of sub-standard agricultural inputs;
- (c) the quantum of such sub-standard agricultural inputs and the degree of damage caused by their use;
- (d) whether  the  relevant  provisions  of  law  are  adequate  and  effective  enough  to contain this menace; and
- (b) if not, whether the Government is contemplating to bring any amendment in the existing law?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): to (e):   Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) has laid down the quality parameters in the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985to regulate the quality. Specifications of fertilizers quality are prescribed in the said order.

There are 78 Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories (FQCL) in the country at present. Similarly,  all  the  fertilizers  producing  units  have  well-equipped  laboratories  where  product samples  are  strictly  checked  for  quality  compliance  on  a  regular  basis.    With  this arrangement in place, it is ensured that only standard fertilizers, meeting quality specifications  under  Fertilizer  (Control)  Order,  1985  are  despatched  to  the  farmers. Government  also  provides  assistance  for  setting  up  of  new  Fertilizer  Quality  Control Laboratories  and  strengthening/  upgradation  of  existing  State  Fertilizer  Quality  Control Laboratories.

During the year 2014-15 around 5% samples were found sub-standard and the subsidy dues have been withheld.  There are no reports of damage to the crops on account of use of sub-standard fertilizers.

In  this  regard,  Fertiliser  (Control)  Order,  1985  has  been  promulgated  to  regulate  the trade, price, quality and distribution of fertilizers.  Specifications of fertilisers are prescribed in the said Order.  No person shall sell, sale, offer for sale or distribute any fertilizer which is not  of  prescribed  standard.    Samples  of  fertilizers  are  drawn  periodically  by  the  fertilizer inspectors  of  the  State  Governments  from  retailers/wholesalers  and  manufacturing  units etc.    for  testing  in  the  notified  laboratories  to  check  their  quality  in  respect  of  the  quality parameters prescribed in the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985. In case of imported fertilizers, the  fertilizer  inspectors  of  the  Central  Government  (Central  Fertilizer  Quality  Control  & Training Institute and its regional laboratories) draw the samples from the ship/containers at ports.

State  Governments  are  empowered  under  the  Fertilizer  (Control)  Order/Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to take appropriate  administrative  and  legal  action  against  those dealers/manufacturers/importers who do not comply with the provisions prescribed in the Order.

**********