|
The Department of Fertilizers, Government of India today clarified that it has taken all possible steps to improve availability of fertilizers in the country for the current Rabi season. Reacting on reports appearing in a section of the press about shortage of fertilizers, the Department clarified that requirement of urea for Rabi 2004-05 has been assessed at 108.35 lakh MT and the availability of urea for the season is estimated at 117 lakh MT, production of about 102.5 lakh MT, opening stock of about 11 lakh MT and imports of about 3.5 lakh MT. Requirement of urea upto November 2004 has been assessed at 34 lakh MT and already as on day, about 41 lakh MT has been made available. Sales reported have been 24 lakh MT leaving 17 lakh MT as unsold stock.
The availability of urea in Bihar upto 21.11.04 was about 2 lakh MT. The sales reported during this period was 1.04 lakh MT leaving unsold stocks of about 1 lakh MT in the state as on 21.11.2004. No shortages of urea have been received from any state so far and the availability of urea in all the states including Bihar is satisfactory.
All fertilizers other than urea are decontrolled and no allocation is made by Central Government. The demand and supply of decontrolled fertilizers are decided by the market forces. The states are required to tie up with different suppliers well in time and ensure availability at the state level and within the state.
The total availability of DAP for Rabi 2004-05 season is estimated at about 46 lakh MT (opening stock of about 12 lakh MT, production of 31 lakh MT and imports of 2.8 lakh MT) for requirement of about 39.4 lakh MT assessed by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for Rabi 2004-05 season. Requirement of DAP upto 30.11.2004 has been assessed at 22.9 lakh MT. About 21 lakh MT has been made available upto 24.11.04. Sales reported has been 17.5 lakh MT leaving unsold stock of about 3.4 lakh MT. as on 24.11.2004. Thus the availability of DAP in the country so far is satisfactory.
However, some states like Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been requesting for additional supply of DAP during October-November. Additional quantities have been made available by releasing buffer stock held by IPL on Government account.
|
