After cooking gas, the government is considering direct benefits transfer of fertiliser subsidy to farmers, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

“The proposal for direct subsidy transfer to all farmers is under consideration of the government... We are considering it. It should be done shortly,” Kumar said while responding to a question by Congress MP, Ranjeet Ranjan on reports of rampant black-marketing of urea and the steps the government is taking to ensure that benefits reach small and marginal farmers.

While stating that there is no shortage of fertilisers in the country, Kumar said it is the responsibility of the States to check black-marketing. “Why do they not raid such people?” he said.

The Minister’s response created a furore, with the Opposition alleging delay in subsidy this year, which was released after Rabi and Kharif crop sowing was almost over.

Kumar disputed this by saying this month, the demand for urea is estimated at around 13 lakh tonnes and the government has already sent about 23 lakh tonnes to the States.

He said in India, urea is sold at Rs 5,360/tonne, while in neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal it is sold at around Rs 22,000/tonne. “Mostly, urea from the country is smuggled to these countries, he added.”

​ Foreign fishing vessels

Congress MPs from Kerala, supported by MPs from other coastal States, urged the government to reject the Meenakumari committee report on deep sea fishing, saying it will affect the livelihood of traditional fisherfolk. They were supported by the Shiv Sena MPs.

The issue was raised during Question Hour by MPs from Kerala, who flagged a paper of a government memo on the report, saying that any move to allow large vessels, including foreign ones, to fish in the deep sea, was against the assurance given by the government on the floor of the House earlier.

The government, however, assured the House that it will not allow any foreign vessel in the exclusive economic zone.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said he had sought inputs from 14 States and will not take any decision without taking their views into account. “Six States have responded so far to the 20 recommendations made by the committee and seven farmers orgnisations have also sent inputs,” he informed the House.

With the members still not satisfied, the Speaker Speaker Sumitra Mahajan directed the government to hold a meeting with the Kerala MPs to discuss the matter.

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