Date:30/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063056550100.htm

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Fertilizer: seven flying squads formed

P. Sudhakar

TIRUNELVELI: With the farmers complaining about alleged selling of fertilizers at exorbitant prices and non-availability of the commodity in adequate quantity, seven flying squads have been formed in the district to monitor uninterrupted supply of fertilizers.

As the taluks of Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Nanguneri, Tenkasi, Shencottai, Veerakeralamputhur and Alangulam are busy preparing fields for ‘kar’ paddy season, complaints have started pouring in against non-availability of fertilizers, particularly Di-Ammonium-Phosphate, in the district even after the government’s repeated assurances. To instil confidence in the minds of the agriculturists, District Collector (in-charge) G. Srinivasan has formed seven teams in these taluks to monitor the sale and movement of fertilizers.

After fertilizer manufacturing units supplied their quota of the basal plant nutrients to the district, a team of officials led by Mr. Srinivasan conducted surprise check at shops and godowns of wholesale traders in Tirunelveli to verify the receipt of Di-Ammonimum Phosphate, their sale to small fertilizer stockists, actual stock after the sale, the records showing the transaction for the past few days etc.

Mr. Srinivasan also contacted the small traders and other buyers over phone to confirm if actual transactions had taken place or not. The receipts issued for the cash transaction were also checked on both sides.

Similar inspections were conducted in 32 private fertilizer retail outlets and eight Primary Agriculture Cooperative Banks in the seven taluks.

According to Mr. Srinivasan, since the farmers of Tirunelveli district are in need of 20,400 tonnes of urea, 10,000 tonnes of DAP, 8,000 tonnes of potash, 1,300 tonnes of super phosphate and 6,900 tonnes of complex fertilizers for the ‘kar’ paddy season, the district administration, based on the farmers’ requirement, has sent a report to the government.

“Depending upon our requirement, the government will release fertilizer to the district every month.” Moreover, 484 tonnes of DAP is available with 80 fertilizer traders in the district and TANFED has got another 119 tonnes of DAP. So there is no reason for panic,” said Mr. Srinivasan.