Uproar in Chhattisgarh assembly over alleged shortage of fertilisers for farmers

Raipur, Jul 14 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh assembly witnessed an uproar on Tuesday with the Congress targeting the state government over the alleged shortage of fertilisers and quality seeds, which it claimed has disrupted agricultural activities during the ongoing kharif season. Calling the BJP government "anti-farmer", the Opposition sought a discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion notice. After the speaker disallowed the motion, 34 MLAs of Congress and a Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) legislator trooped into the well of the House, resulting in their brief suspension. Opposition leader Charan Das Mahant, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and other party members raised the issue during Zero Hour, alleging that farmers were facing multiple challenges during the ongoing kharif paddy season. They alleged a shortage of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), potash fertilisers and high-yielding seed varieties. Baghel alleged that primary agricultural cooperative societies lacked adequate stocks of DAP and potash, which are in high demand during sowing and transplantation, while urea and nano fertilisers, which are not immediately required, had been stocked in large quantities. He claimed the agriculture department was misleading people by claiming that overall fertiliser stocks were adequate despite shortages of the specific fertilisers. Baghel alleged the acute shortage of paddy seed varieties preferred by farmers was affecting irrigation, forcing agriculturists to rely on pump sets due to inadequate rainfall. The Congress also raised concerns over the implementation of the AgriStack portal, alleging farmers were facing difficulties in registration, correction of land records and crop details, while registration on the portal had become mandatory for availing crop loans and selling produce at the minimum support price. The Opposition alleged that the government's inability to address these issues has left farmers worried about the future and demanded a detailed discussion through an adjournment motion. Replying to the allegations, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam denied any shortage of fertilisers or certified seeds in the state. He said 14.06 lakh tonnes of fertilisers, or about 90 per cent of the kharif target of 15.55 lakh metric tons, have already been stocked. Netam said 4.76 lakh quintals of certified seeds had been stocked against a target of 4.95 lakh quintals, while 4.72 lakh quintals of certified paddy seeds had been made available against the demand of 4.79 lakh quintals. The minister added that despite adverse global conditions, Chhattisgarh stocked 1.67 lakh tons of DAP, or 56 per cent of the target, and achieved 99 per cent stocking of potash. He said it was incorrect to suggest that farmers could meet their phosphatic and potassic nutrient requirements only through DAP and potash, noting that alternatives such as various grades of NPK fertilisers and single super phosphate were available in sufficient quantities. Netam said cooperative societies had already stocked 95 per cent of the required NPK fertilisers and 146 per cent of the required single super phosphate. The use of nano fertilisers was based on scientific recommendations and remained optional for farmers, he said. The minister added the state government had been continuously coordinating with the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers and the Prime Minister's Office to ensure adequate fertiliser supplies, resulting in stocks being about 96,000 metric tons higher than during the corresponding period last year. He also said adequate electricity was available for irrigation and that district administrations had been directed to ensure the diesel supply to farmers using diesel pump sets. "Contingency plans had been prepared for all districts in view of deficient rainfall, and the government has been issuing regular advisories to farmers," the minister said. After Netam's reply, Speaker Raman Singh rejected the adjournment motion. Dissatisfied with the response, the Opposition MLAs continued their protest and entered the well of the House. They were automatically suspended under Assembly rules. The speaker later revoked the suspension and allowed proceedings to continue. PTI TKP NSK