Paswan to take stock of fertiliser sector performance

The Fertiliser Advisory Forum will meet here today to discuss some key issues plaguing the sector.

New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Fertiliser Advisory Forum will meet here today to discuss some key issues plaguing the sector.

The availability and distribution of fertilizer will be at the top of the meeting's agenda. Issues such as fertilizer pricing, nutrient subsidy, alternative methodologies for delivery of fertilizer subsidy to farmers and usage of water-soluble fertilizers will also be discussed.

Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will preside over the meeting. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers B.K.Handique will address the meeting.

Representatives from state governments, fertiliser industry, farmers and central governments departments will attend the day long deliberations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Fertilisers has taken a several steps to ensure timely and adequate availability of fertilisers throughout the country after the forum's first meeting in March 2006.

The steps include adoption of the New Pricing Scheme Stage - III for Urea, monitoring of fertiliser availability up to the district level, creation of a buffer stock up to five per cent of the seasonal demand in major fertilizer consuming states and payment of rail freight as per actual expenditure for transportation of urea.

Rationalisation of road freight has also been carried out. The freight is being revised to account for increase in rail and road transport costs for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilisers.

The State Governments have been advised to strengthen the State Institutional Agencies to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining fertiliser supplies.

ANI