Question : INCREASE IN PRICES OF FERTILIZERS

(a) whether the prices of fertilizers are constantly increasing in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefore;

(c) whether the Government is aware and has received complaints about adulteration and blackmarketing of fertilizers and sale of spurious pesticides in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of people arrested for being involved in such activities during the last three years; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to check adulteration and black- marketing of fertilizers and sale of spurious pesticides and contain the fertilizer prices in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)

(a) & (b) The Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of subsidized fertilizers in the country has remained constant for the last more than six years. Rather, indicative MRPs of complex fertilizers subsidized under the Concession Scheme of Government of India have been reduced with effect from 18th June, 2008.

(c) to (e) Under Clause 21 of the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO), it is mandatory to print the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on the bags of fertilizer and no person Is permitted to sell the material above the statutory/indicative price. The State Governments are adequately empowered under the provisions of the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 to check such activities.Any violation of the provisions of the FCO, 1985 attracts penal/administrative action under the Essential Commodities Act 1955/FCO, 1985.State Governments have been advised to prevent such malpractices and ensure that the farmers are provided with proper quality of fertilizers at statutory/indicative price.