Punjab expresses concern over short supply of urea

Punjab government today expressed concern over "short" supply of urea for rabi sowing season and asked Centre to ensure timely supply of the balance requirement of urea so that crop sowing does not get affected.
In a letter written by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to Union Chemicals and Fertilizer Minister Ananth Kumar, he said after reviewing the current position again, it was found that Punjab had received 1,23,435 MTs of urea. This leaves a shortfall of 2,17,738 MTs of urea to be supplied by November 30, he added.
The Chief Minister asked the Union Minister that supplies of urea to Punjab might be increased to make up the shortfall of 2,17,738 MTs.

He also requested the Union Minister to advise the concerned officials of the Ministry to keep this shortfall in view while making allocation of urea and DAP to Punjab for the month of December, 2014.
Expressing concern over the slow movement of fertilizers required by Punjab for Rabi season 2014-15, the Chief Minister said that it could impair the financial health of the farmers.
He informed the Union Minister that sowing of wheat crop was at its peak now and the farmers of the State were required to be given timely supplies of urea, failing which the area under wheat was likely to be adversely affected.

Badal said that constrained and delayed availability of urea at this stage would not only affect the prospects of the rabi crop, but it might also lead to panic buying by the farmers thereby distorting the market and creating unrest amongst the farmers.
The Chief Minister also informed Union minister Ananth Kumar that the officers of the state agriculture department have, time and again, met the concerned officers of the Union Ministry, requesting them to hasten supplies of urea in requisite quantities.
However, he said that despite repeated requests, supplies were still slow and insufficient. "I, therefore, request for your indulgence in the matter to ensure timely supplies of the balance requirement of urea for the state" said Badal.