Fertilizer Shortage Sparks Uproar In Chhattisgarh Assembly
There is no shortage of fertilizers in the state and ample stock of nano DAP, Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers has been made to compensate DAP supply gap: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai
RAIPUR: The monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Monday began on a stormy note with the Opposition Congress creating a ruckus in the house over the shortage of fertilizers in the state, leading to suspension of 23 party MLAs.
Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a statement issued here asserted that there is no shortage of fertilizers in the state and ample stock of nano DAP, Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers has been made to compensate DAP supply gap.
Raising the issue during the zero-hour, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Charan Das Mahant said the farmers cultivating paddy in the state are facing acute shortage of Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer (DAP).
He regretted that instead of ensuring adequate supply of DAP to the farmers, the state government has advised them to go for alternative fertilizers, leading to an increase in the cultivation cost by Rs 55 per acre.
The CLP leader alleged that an artificial shortage of fertilizers has been created in the state for the last two years.
He said the state government has been able to meet only 30 percent of the total requirement of DAP for the Kharif 2025 so far.
Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the farmers have been forced to purchase fertilizers at double the price from the open market owing to shortage of the fertilizers.
State agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam admitted that the supply of the phosphatic fertilizers has been affected, prompting the state government to make alternative arrangements.
He attributed it to the global chain disruption of fertilizers.
Mr. Netam said nano fertilizers have been recommended and stored in large quantities.
He however said the fertilizer storage exceeded the target and informed that sowing has been completed in over 28 lakh hectares, surpassing the previous figures in the corresponding period.
Later, some Congress members entered the well of the house in protest against the decision by the speaker to disallow the adjournment motion on the issue, leading to suspension of 23 of them.
The suspended MLAs were later reinstated.
