Date:21/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/21/stories/2008062150290100.htm

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Allocate State’s full quota of fertilizers straightaway: Yeddyurappa

S. Rajendran

He writes to the Prime Minister on delay in fertilizer supply and the consequent problems

State has received only 40,927 tonnes of DAP and 41,928 tonnes of complex fertilizers
Expected complex fertilizers for June is 80,000 tonnes as against promised 1.10 lakh tonnes

Bangalore: The Karnataka Government on Friday complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the delay in the supply of fertilizers to the State and the consequent law and order problem being witnessed in certain areas.

Sources in the State Government told The Hindu that the shortage of fertilizers was all the more because of panic buying by the farmers. “The respite in the monsoon has not really come as a relief. Farmers are buying up the stocks even as they are unloaded at the retail outlets. It is a rather tough situation,” sources said.

In a letter to the Prime Minister on Thursday, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa appealed to him to direct the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ram Vilas Paswan, to allocate Karnataka’s full quota of fertilizers straightaway. Mr. Yeddyurappa, soon after being sworn-in as Chief Minister, had called on the Prime Minister and explained the difficulties being faced by the new Government in ensuring adequate supply of fertilizers to the farmers.

Accompanied by the Agriculture Minister S.A. Ravindranath and senior officials, he had also called on Mr. Paswan and impressed on him the need to make arrangements for a quick despatch.

The State Government is also in direct touch with fertilizer manufacturers and has sent across a time schedule and the quantity of fertilizers required on a weekly basis.

Despite the Chief Minister’s appeal to the farmers to purchase only required stock of fertilizers for the present kharif season, a buying spree has been continuing in most areas. The farmers have been agitating in various parts of the State over the past few days and stern action taken by the authorities to prevent hoarding of fertilizers has not helped.

In his letter, the Chief Minister said the State had received only 40,927 tonnes of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and 41,928 tonnes of complex fertilizers. “Arising out of the shortage, there is a worsening law and order situation in the State for want of fertilizers”. The Chief Minister requested for an immediate supply of the balance quantity required.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the State Government Sudhakar Rao also wrote to J.S. Sarma, Secretary, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and explained the serious situation prevailing in the State. “This may kindly be treated as most immediate and if you consider it necessary, I could meet you in your office any time in the week beginning June 23,” he said in his letter.

Following the meeting between the Chief Minister and the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, it was agreed to make available to Karnataka 1.40 lakh tonnes of DAP and 1.14 lakh tonnes of complex fertilizers. “While we were hopeful that all the supplies or at least the bulk of it would reach the State by June 20, until June 17 only 40,927 tonnes of DAP arrived.

Therefore, a sense of insecurity among the farmers in the State continues in spite of all our announcements,” he said.

Drop in production

The Chief Secretary said the ground reality regarding complex fertilizers is far more serious.

Owing to the reported production shortfall by the manufacturers the total supply of complex fertilizers for June is expected to be 80,000 tonnes as against the promised 1.10 lakh tonnes. “Of greater concern is the fact that the allocation shown for Karnataka for July is only one lakh tonnes compared to a projected demand of 1.64 lakh tonnes,” he added.