From monthly urea schedule to real-time monitoring, Kewal Singh Dhillon seeks smooth fertiliser supply

Chandigarh: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Wednesday urged the Centre to ensure uninterrupted and timely supply of DAP and urea during the ongoing paddy sowing season in the state.In a letter to Union chemicals and fertilisers minister JP Nadda, Dhillon sought immediate release of additional DAP allocations, stating: "Punjab's Kharif 2026 quota should be front-loaded to ensure adequate availability at district and block levels before peak demand. A buffer stock of at least 2-3 lakh metric tonnes may be maintained across the state."Seeking a review of the fertiliser allocation formula, Dhillon stated in the letter, "The existing allocation mechanism may be reviewed to better reflect Punjab's actual requirement during the Kharif season, which is substantially higher owing to its intensive agricultural activity and contribution to national food security."He stated that Punjab's agricultural significance to the nation cannot be overstated. As the paddy sowing season progresses through June and July, Punjab frequently experiences shortages of DAP and urea at the district and retail levels, the letter read, further stating: "Such shortages create serious challenges: Farmers are compelled to wait in long queues at cooperative societies and retail outlets, often for several hours or even days, resulting in delays in sowing operations. Delayed sowing adversely affects crop productivity, water-use efficiency, and ultimately the procurement performance of the state."He sought a monthly urea supply schedule for better planning and distribution, a real-time coordination and monitoring mechanism, and strict action against inter-state diversion, unauthorised stocking and hoarding of subsidised fertilisersDhillon said: "A monthly supply schedule for urea may be prepared and shared with the Govt of Punjab and concerned agencies to facilitate effective planning and distribution. A real-time coordination and monitoring system involving the ministry, fertiliser companies such as IFFCO, NFL, KRIBHCO and the Govt of Punjab may be established to prevent artificial shortages and ensure smooth distribution."Ends MSID:: 131660988 413 |