(a) whether there is continuous rise in the prices of fertilizers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received complaints of black marketing of
fertilizers;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the number of black marketeers arrested so
far; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to check the black marketing and
control the prices of fertilizers?
THE MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS & MINISTER OF STEEL(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 154 to be
answered on 14.3.2005
(a) & (b): Selling prices of fertilizers have not been increased since 28.2.2002. A
marginal increase in selling prices of fertilizers announced on 28.2.2003 was
withdrawn w.e.f 12.3.2003.
(c) to (e): No complaint of black marketing of fertilizers has been received during
2004-05. Under clause 21 of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, it is
mandatory to print the maximum retail price on the container of all kinds of
fertilizers, whether under statutory price control or out of the purview of the
statutory price control. No person shall charge higher than the price printed on
the bag. Any person violating this mandatory provision of FCO is held liable to be
proceeded against for administrative/punitive measures under the provisions of
FCO and Essential Commodities Act. The State Governments are the
enforcement agencies and are adequately empowered to take appropriate action
against the offender who indulge in any kind of malpractices.