Question : SUBSIDY ON FERTILIZERS UNDER NBS POLICY

(a) whether the Government has implemented the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy for providing subsidy on fertilizers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the consent of all the concerned departments was obtained before implementing the said policy; and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government propose to implement another scheme for the purpose or to make any plan/new method to save the expenditure incurred on this subsidy: and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERILIZERSn (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) & (b): Yes. Madam. The Department of Fertilizers has been implementing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers w.e.f 1.4.2010. The provisions of the NBS Policy are given in the Annexure.

(c): The NBS policy was considered by Group of Ministers represented by various concerned ministries and the new policy was needed to be finalized at an early date. Hence, it was proposed in the Cabinet Note that the Ministries may provide their views on the proposals contained in the Cabinet Note directly before the Cabinet. Hence, no separate consultation was made with any Department.

(d): No. Madam. Under the present NBS Policy the subsidy burden on P&K fertilizers has come down to a large extent.

(e): Question does notarise.