Badal again takes up issue of timely supply of urea for Rabi 2014-15

Chandigarh, November 25, 2014: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today reiterated his request to the Union Chemicals and Fertilizer Minister Ananth Kumar to ensure the timely supply of the balance requirement of urea for the state for ensuring that Rabi crops for the year 2014-15 were not adversely affected.

In a letter to Ananth Kumar, the Chief Minister reemphasized iterated that as per allocations made by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, Punjab was required to receive 3,35,900 MTs of Urea against which the state has received only 2,40,819 MTs, leaving a monthly deficit of 95,081 MTs.  He further said that for November 2014, the Ministry allocated 3,36,750 MTs against which the state has received only 87,658 MTs so far. Badal said that in this way, there was a total deficit of 3,44,173 MTs which was required to be covered by November 30, 2014. However, Badal said that after reviewing the current position again they have found that Punjab has received only 1,23,435 MTs of urea, leaving a shortfall of 2,17,738 MTs of urea to be supplied by November 30, 2014.

The Chief Minister urged Ananth Kumar that supplies of urea to Punjab may be increased to make up the shortfall of 2,17,738 MTs. He also requested the Union Minister to advise the concerned officials of the Ministry to keep this shortfall in view while making allocation of Urea and DAP to Punjab for the month of December, 2014.

Expressing concern over the slow movement of fertilizers required by Punjab for Rabi season 2014-15, the Chief Minister said that it could impair the financial health of the farmers. He informed the Union Minister that sowing of wheat crop was at its peak now and the farmers of the State were required to be given timely supplies of urea failing which the area under wheat was likely to be adversely affected. Badal said that constrained and delayed availability of urea at this stage would not only affect the prospects of the Rabi crop, but it might also lead to panic buying by the farmers thereby distorting the market and creating unrest amongst the farmers.

The Chief Minister also informed Ananth Kumar that the officers of the state Agriculture Department have, time and again, met the concerned officers of the Union Ministry, requesting them to hasten supplies of urea in requisite quantities. However, he bemoaned that despite repeated requests, the supplies were still slow and insufficient. “I, therefore, request for your indulgence in the matter to ensure timely supplies of the balance requirement of urea for the state” reiterated Badal. 

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