DAP-UREA SUPPLY: SUFFICIENT FERTILIZERS STOCKS FOR PUNJAB FARMERS: REDDY

Reviews fertilizer supply, debt relief scheme preparedness
Chandigarh December 20, 2017: Punjab Government has assured adequate supply of fertilizers for the current Rabi season vis-a-vis other states and ensured that farmers of the state should not face any problem regarding availability of fertilizers in cooperative societies.

While reviewing DAP and Urea demand and supplies in state cooperative sector at Punjab Bhawan here today, additional chief secretary cooperation DP Reddy expressed satisfaction over the efforts of Markfed for advance stocking and timely supply to the societies. This meeting was attended by A.S. Bains registrar cooperative societies, Gagandeep Singh Brar Special Secretary Cooperation and Arshdeep Singh Thind Managing Director Markfed along with other senior officers of the department including joint registrars (JRs) and deputy registrars (DRs) from all the districts.

MD Markfed Thind informed in the meeting that 90 percent DAP and 82 percent urea had already been supplied by Markfed. In spite of tight position of urea at national level, Markfed has pre-positioned its fertilizer stocks and there was no report of shortage of urea in any corner of state. Giving details he told that against 1.42 lacs metric tonnes (MTs) of DAP indents Markfed had supplied 1.28 lakhs MTs and over 3 lakhs MTs Urea have already been supplied against indents of 3.64 lakhs MTs. "Stocks are available with Markfed and daily supplies are being made", he informed.

Mr Reddy expressed satisfaction over fertilizer supplies but expressed his displeasure over fewer receipts of payments from societies as only 46 percent payments have been received by Markfed against sale of fertilizers. Directing the field officers to ensure 100 percent payments by December 31st he asked the JRs and DRs that no laxity would be tolerated at any cost and strict action to be taken against the erring officers who fails to achieve the targets.

While reviewing the debt relief scheme, financial commissioner cooperation asked the cooperative officers to update and verify the data of eligible marginal farmers covered under the scheme at the earliest so that no beneficiary could be left out of the debt waiver plan. He said Punjab has developed a web portal to eliminate double financing or multiple financing and an amount of Rs.2710 crores to be paid to about 5.17 lakhs farmers by the state government.