Question : Fertilizer Factories.

(a) the details of the fertilizer manufacturing plants/factories operating in the country, at present State/UT-wise ;

(b) whether the fertilizers produced in the said factories are not distributed in the districts wherein these factories are located;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps proposed to be taken to provide fertilizers to those districts/nearby areas where these factories are located;

(d) whether these plants are utilizing their full capacity; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken to enhance the production capacity of these plants?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) The details of the fertilizer manufacturing plants/factories operating in the country, at present State-wise are giver in the enclosed statement.

(b) & (c) Department of Fertilizers is mandated for adequate and equitable distribution of all subsidized chemical fertilizers to all states/Uts as per the requirement projected by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation before the start of each cropping season. If is stated that the Department of Fertilizers makes available fertilizers at the state level and distribution within the state is the responsibility of the concerned state Government.

The requirement of fertilizers of all the states/UTs is met from indigenous production as well as from imports. Similarly, requirement of fertilizers of a district/ nearby areas is met from various sources including the plant(s), if any, located in the district.

(d)&(e) Urea fertilizer units are largely producing as per their production capacity. But some of the DAP & Complex Fertilizers plants are’Under-utilized mainly due to i) inadequate availability of Natural Gas ii) shutdown of plants for maintenance and iii) shortage of raw materials etc.

Department of Fertilizers notified New Investment Policy (NIP) - 2008 on 4th September 2008 which aimed at revamp, expansion, revival of existing urea units and setting up of Greenfield/ Brownfield projects.

The Government has notified the NIP- 2012 and amendment to NIP - 2012 on 02nd January, 2013 and 07th October, 2014 respectively to facilitate fresh investment in urea sector and to reduce import dependency .

The Department is encouraging Indian companies to engage in the long term agreements and setup JVs in the fertilizers resources rich countries to make import of finished fertilizers/ raw material steady and smooth.