(a): whether Article 46 of the Constitution directs the State to promote
with special care the economic and other interest of the weaker sections,
particularly SCs and STs;
(b): if so, the steps taken in the interest of the SCs and STs in the
field of economic activities by the Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilizers leading to transportation, storage, distribution and sale
of chemicals and fertilizers; and
(c): if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) and (c): The Fertilizers Companies under the administrative
control of this Ministry engage handling and transport contractors
and appoint dealers for sale of their fertilizers in the field of
economic activities viz. transportation, storage, distribution and
sale of chemicals fertilizers. The Government had issued instructions
in September 1978 to public sector fertilizer manufacturing undertakings
PSUs) to reserve 25% of all future appointment of dealers for Scheduled
Castes (SCs)/Scheduled Tribes (STs). However, there are no such
instructions for reservation in the case of transportation & storage
of Fertilizers.
In so far as chemical industry is concerned, there is no
administrative control on price, distribution and sale of chemicals.