Question : Availability of Urea

(a) whether the Government is aware of the shortfall in availability of urea for tea growers in Tamil Nadu, especially in the Nilgiris District;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for shortfall in supply;

(c) whether the Government is also aware that some agencies are selling urea bags at higher rate in the open market and if so, the action taken by the Government on such agencies; and

(d) whether there is any demand for additional quantity of Urea/Fertilizers from the State Government of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b): No Sir, no such shortfall is reported.

(c): Sir, Government has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955(ECA) and notified Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 & Fertilizer (Movement Control) Order, 1973 under the EC Act. State Governments have been adequately empowered to ensure selling of fertilizers at MRP besides stopping smuggling and diversion of fertilizers. State Governments are empowered to conduct search, make seizures and take punitive action against any person violating provisions of FCO, 1985 and Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The State Governments have been empowered to take appropriate action to curb diversion of fertilizers and initiate action against the persons who violate these orders. Department of Fertilizers has, from time to time, written to the Chief Secretaries of various States and Ministry of Home Affairs to activate the enforcement agencies under their jurisdiction to take appropriate action. Further, State Governments as enforcement agencies are adequately empowered to check the irregularities.

(d): No Sir, no such request is received.

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