Question : SUPPLY OF SUB STANDARD FERTILIZERS

(a) whether the Government has taken note/conducted any survey of the sale/supply and distribution of spurious/substandard/adulterated/poor quality of indigenous fertilizers and imported fertilizers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of complaints received/cases reported along with the steps taken/action taken against the persons involved in such activities during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether there is any fertilizer quality testing infrastructure in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to curb such menace and to ensure supply of quality fertilizers to the farmers in the country, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 has been promulgated for regulation of quality of fertilisers. Samples of fertilisers are drawn periodically by fertiliser inspectors of State Governments to check their quality as per the parameters prescribed in the said Order. In case of imported fertilisers, the fertiliser inspectors of the Central Government draw samples from ships/containers. State-wise details of number of sample analyzed and found not in conformity with the parameters laid down in the said Order during the years 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 are at Annexure I, II, III, IV respectively.

Details of follow-up action taken by State Governments in respect of samples found not in conformity with the quality parameters during the years 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 are given at Annexure V, VI, VII, VIII.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. There are 78 Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratories (FQCL) in the country at present. The State-wise details of laboratories are shown at Annexure IX. No person shall manufacture/import for sale, sell, offer for sale, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any fertiliser which is not notified in the Fertiliser (Control) Order or not of standard prescribed in the said Order. State Governments are empowered under the said Order to take appropriate administrative and legal action against those not complying with the provisions prescribed in the Order. Government also provides assistance for setting up of new Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratories and strengthening/upgradation of existing State Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratories.