Expressing concerns that the farmers at village level are not able to get required quantum of fertilisers during peak agricultural seasons despite of provision of Rs. 1.2 lakh crore budget on
fertilisers subsidy, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers has asked foolproof measures should be taken by the States to check the menace of black marketing,
hoarding and
artificial shortages.
The committee has asked both the Centre and the States to chalk out a strategy for regular audit of the sales of subsidized fertilisers at the Company, Wholesaler and Retailer level so as to check unfair practices, if any at various levels.
The Committee headed by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has tabled its report in Parliament on Monday, asking States to take all the steps for ensuring timely availability of required quantum of fertilizers to the farmers particularly during peak seasons of cultivation of crops and no farmer should be deprived of subsidised fertilizers.
The report said that there were reports that retailers ask the farmers to buy other products manufactured by a particular company along with subsidized fertilizers.
The Committee also noted with concern that on one hand the Department is claiming that there is no shortage of fertilizers while on the other hand there are news regarding the non-availability of fertilizers to the farmers.
"There are also reports that Urea is being sold in black market at higher prices due to mis-management at the local level.