Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has authorized any private companies to import fertilizers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism to monitor the activities of private fertilizer importers to ensure timely supply of fertilizers to farmers;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE AND CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) & (b): Import of urea for direct agriculture use is made on Government account through State Trading Enterprises (STEs) under the Foreign Trade Policy of the Government. Presently, three STEs namely Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF), National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) and Indian Potash Limited (IPL) designated by DGFT. Out of three STEs, two (RCF & NFL) are Government CPSE under administrative control of Department of Fertilizers. Only IPL is private fertilizers importing company and IPL has been designated as STE for import of urea on Government account for the ensuing Rabi 2021-22 season i.e. upto 31.03.2022.
All P&K fertilizers are covered under Open General License (OGL) under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme. They are imported by the companies on commercially viable terms.
(c) to (e): Department of Fertilizers issues Agreed Monthly Supply plan based on the requirement projected by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) to meet the requirement of Fertilizers of the State Governments. Based on the compliance of supply plan, fertilizer subsidy is issued to the concerned supplier.
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