The Opposition parties on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Government in the Haryana Assembly, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – led State Government of being cut off from the ground reality of shortage of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer in the State but treasury benchers hit back, saying that there Was no shortage of fertilizer in the State.

On the third day of Haryana Vidhan Sabha’s winter session, the opposition members once again raised the issue of shortage of DAP in the State after the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Aditya Devi Lal Chautala raised the issue by moving the Calling Attention Motion. Leaders of Congress, INLD, and BJP indulged in a war of words over this issue in the Assembly.

Congress MLAs Aftab Ahmed, Jassi Petwar and Sheeshpal Keherwala had also moved the same motions on the issue of DAP shortage, which the Speaker Harvinder Kalyan combined into one.

Speaking in the favour of the motion, Aditya Chautala accused the State Government of being cut off from the ground reality of DAP shortage in the State. “At various places in the districts, farmers are compelled to stand in queue to procure fertilizers; while at many places, fertilizers are being provided to farmers in the presence of police forces. There is rampant black marketing of fertilizers in the State. Only seven cases have been registered against those involved in black marketing of fertilizers,” he said.

Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reiterated that there is no shortage of DAP fertilizer in the State and the farmers are being intentionally misled by spreading rumours related to shortage.

He informed the House that the data regarding the availability of DAP at the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) in the state was available with the government and if any member requires information on this, it will be provided. CM Saini assured that there is currently no shortage of DAP in the state.

“Being a farmer’s son, I deeply understand the challenges farmers face regarding the availability of fertilisers. For the month of November, a total of 110,200 metric tonnes of DAP has been allocated,” said the Chief Minister.

In response to a question about the availability of DAP stock in Sirsa, the Chief Minister informed the House that on October 1 the initial stock of DAP in Sirsa was 1,063 metric tonnes, and as of today there are 2,217 MTs available. Similarly, in Hisar district, there is still 2,087 MTs of DAP available. A total of 216 MTs of DAP, more than the previous year, has already been provided to farmers, said Saini.

The state’s Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shayam Singh Rana informed the House said that the State Government is administratively capable of making arrangements for all types of fertilizers and their proper distribution as per the requirements of farmers in the State. He informed that the Government of India assesses the seasonal and monthly requirements of fertilizers, prepares a plan and sends it to the concerned State.

“The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department of Haryana also monitors the requirement, supply, sales and stock position of urea and DAP and other fertilizers on a daily basis. The Centre also reviews the supply plan with the State including fertilizer suppliers through video conferencing every Tuesday,” he added.

Minister informed that sowing of oilseed crops has almost completed and wheat sowing is in full swing. The Phosphatic fertilizers are used or drilled during sowing and urea is generally used as a spray in the crops. Last year, the sale of DAP in the Rabi season was 2.30 lakh metric tonnes and the same is expected to be sold in the current Rabi season 2024-25.

The Centre has allocated 2.60 LMTs of DAP for the current Rabi season 2024-25. The allocation of DAP for October and November 2024 is 2.25 LMTs. At the beginning of the Rabi season this year, the state had a stock of 54,000 MTs and 1.52 LMTs of DAP had been received from the Government of India till November 16, 2024. Thus, 2.06 LMTs of DAP fertilizer has so far been made available for the state, out of which 1.86 LMTs have been consumed till November 15, 2024. During the same period last year, 1.65 LMTs of DAP was consumed. This, it is clear that during the same period this year, the consumption has been higher than last year. He informed that 21,000 MTs of DAP is still available in the districts.

Dengue Cases Drop in State from Last Year 8,081 to 4,634 Cases This Year

Opposition members and BJP members sparred in the Assembly over the issue of rising Dengue cases in the state. INLD MLA Arjun Chautala moved the calling attention motion on the increasing number of dengue patients in the state and the lack of preventive measures by the government. Speaking over this issue, Chautala alleged that the government has failed to control dengue cases in the State as no steps were taken to prevent it.

Chief Minister Saini, while replying, assured the House that the Health Department is fully prepared for the prevention and control of dengue in the State, and continuous fogging is being carried out throughout the state. “In view of the changing weather, directions have been issued to speed up the fogging across the state,” he said.

Saini clarified that the government never and will not hide any data regarding this issue. “The arrangements for controlling dengue are in place, and fogging is being carried out regularly every week. Additionally, inspections are going on for the checking of stagnant water in flower pots, weather coolers etc at homes, which could become a key reason for mosquito breeding,” he added.

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said that the State Government has left no stone unturned to prevent the spread of dengue in the State. There has been a significant reduction in dengue cases in 22 districts of the state as compared to last year. In the last year in 2023, there were 8081 dengue cases, which reduced to 4634 this year.

Haryana Govt Withdraws Organized Crime Control Bill-2023

Haryana Government on Monday withdrew the Organized Crime Control Bill, 2023, following discrepancies flagged by the Centre. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini tabled a resolution in the Assembly to retract the bill alongside the Haryana Honourable Disposal of Dead Body Bill, 2024, citing the need for revisions. 

Initially passed in March 2023, the Organized Crime Control Bill aimed to curb criminal syndicates but faced repeated hurdles. Earlier versions of the bill, introduced in 2019 and 2020, were withdrawn due to conflicts with central laws such as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The 2023 iteration, sent for the President’s assent, encountered similar issues when the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted discrepancies. 

The MHA suggested the state reconsider the legislation and resubmit a revised version. Opposition parties, particularly Congress, had previously raised concerns over the bill's “draconian provisions” and sought its referral to a select committee. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda noted this was the third withdrawal of the legislation. 

Congress MLA BB Batra emphasized the Bill's contentious history, while MLA Geeta Bhukkal criticized the government for overlooking opposition objections during its passage. Saini assured the Assembly that a revised version would address all concerns. 

The Haryana Honourable Disposal of Dead Body Bill, which proposed penalties for misuse of corpses in demonstrations, faced similar scrutiny. The Union Ministry of Health raised objections, prompting its withdrawal. The introduction of new central criminal laws in July, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, may have influenced the decision. 

HSGMC polls soon: Saini

Chief Minister Saini assured the Assembly that elections for the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee would be held soon, with voter registration underway. During discussions on the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Saini highlighted changes to the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. The amended bill allows the Commission's chairperson to be either a High Court or District Judge, removing the earlier upper age limit of 65 years. 

Saini emphasized that the government has not restricted the committee’s elections but has formed a separate body to oversee the process. He reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding Sikh religious and administrative rights, ensuring fair and efficient electoral proceedings. The assurance aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Sikh community while modernizing judicial and administrative mechanisms within the gurdwara management framework.

Seven Bills Passed

Seven bills were passed after discussion in the Assembly, including The Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024; The Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024, The Haryana Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2024; The Haryana Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024; The Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2024; The Haryana Sikh Gurdwaras (Management) Amendment Bill, 2024; and The Haryana Contractual Employees (Security of Service) Bill, 2024.