By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Agriculture Farmers’ Empowerment and Higher Education Minister Dr Arun Sahoo has urged Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertiliser Mansukh Mandaviya to immediately supply 1.03 lakh metric tonne of Urea to the State.
The Minister Dr Sahoo while joining a video conference from here with Union Minister in New Delhi, argued that farmers of the State continue to face an acute shortage of the fertiliser during the current Kharif season.
The State has received only 56,228 tonnes of urea in June as against its quota of 70,000 tonnes for the month, Dr Sahoo said.Compared to the stipulated quantity, the state has got 19,619 tonnes less urea in July. “Though there is a requirement of one lakh tonne of urea in the state, we have received only 34,150 tonnes by August 17. Therefore, I requested the Centre to supply about 1,03,000 tonne of urea to meet the demand,” the minister said.
“The fertiliser imported by Indian Potash Limited should be supplied to Odisha,” Sahoo said.Agriculture and Food Production director M Muthukumar wrote to all district collectors to take action against the dealers who are involved in “artificial shortage” of urea to jack up its price.
Mandaviya said that there is no shortage of fertilizers in the country. He emphasised that it is available in adequate quantity for farmers community. The Minister instructed ministry officials for real time coordination with all the officers of State administrations for smooth supply of fertilizers all over the country.
Agriculture Ministers of some of the States took part in the meeting via videoconferencing. Secretary, Department of Fertilizers Chhabilendra Roul joint secretary along with other seniors officers of the Department were also present on this occasion.
