Expressing his ire at the Centre’s injustice to Gujarat’s in the allocation of DAP; Agriculture Minister Dileepbhai Sanghani has urged Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to meet the State’s demand as per the rules and priority, rising above the party politics.
In a letter sent to Mr. Pawar, he said the Centre’s allocation is far less than the State’s requirement, which is likely to create a shortage of the fertilizer during the kharif-2011. A similar letter has been sent by the State’s Director of Agriculture to the Government of India, too.
Addressing a review meeting of the fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, Mr. Sanghani said the Gujarat Government would not mind taking effective measures to protect the farmers’ interests. He said the manufacturers supplying less than the allotted quote would not be issued any certificate about the use, depriving them from their entitlement to subsidy.
The State Minister said the Centre allots monthly quota every season, but it is not happening with respect to Gujarat for the last few months, resulting in growing dissatisfaction among the farmers. On the other hand, he said, other states were getting their requisite quota without any hindrance and in some case more than the requirement.
As against Gujarat’s requirement for 5.0 lakh tonnes of DAP during kharif-2011, the Centre assured 4.8 lakh tonnes at the zonal meeting. As against a requirement of 65,000 tonnes in April 2011, company-wise movement supply plan shows allotment of 44,500 tonnes and actual receipt only 25,800 tonnes. In May 2011, as against requirement of 1,15,000 tonnes, the company-wise movement supply plan is just 34,500 tonnes, leaving a cumulative deficit of nearly 1-lakh tonne.
