Question : Restrictions on Rake Movement

(a) whether it is a fact that the rakes carrying fertilizers are being subjected to various kinds of restrictions and frequently detained enroute;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor:

(c) whether sufficient quantity of rakes are not being provided for the movement of fertilizers for the State of Odisha, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether in view of the Kharif season the Government will allot sufficient number of rakes for the movement of fertilizers to Odisha for the benefit of the farmers thereof, if so, the details in this regard; and

(e) whether the Government will ensure that the rakes booked for the movement of fertilizers will not be subjected to unnecessary restrictions and shall not be detained enroute for the State of Odisha, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)&(b): No, Sir.

(c)&(d): It is the endeavour of the Railways to ensure availability of fertilizers throughout India and for which adequate number of rakes are allotted to different Zonal Railways covering States and Union Territories as demanded. Periodic video conferencing with each State and Union Territory is organized by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Fertilizers, Government of India, to ascertain requirement of fertilizers in States.

Requirement of all Fertilizers in the State (Pro-rata basis) is 4.42 LMT and availability of all fertilizers till date is 5.17 LMT (from 01.04.2019 to 23.07.2019). The availability figures show that, as per the requirement, the fertilizers were made available to the State timely and adequately.

Nearly 80% of the fertilizers are moved through Railway rakes and 20% by road from the plants and ports situated in or near the State. The total fertilizers rakes moved to the State of Odisha are 139 in this phase. The comfortable availability of fertilizers in the State of Odisha is due to timely availability of rakes (as per the requirement).

(e): Does not arise.

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