An artificial fertiliser crisis

The ministry, for its part, is reported to be srcutinising the 'genuineness' of the subsidy bills submitted by the traders -- a technicality that should not have been left unresolved for so long. It was totally unexpected that a matter of such grave importance like release of subsidy funds would be fiddled with in such a fashion. Of course, there was the need for ensuring transparency and fair play but the finance ministry was expected to pay due attention to the time factor. Now the farmers are on the verge of being deprived of the 25 percent rebate on purchase of fertiliser, because of the scarcity situation brought on by the strike and stocking of the input. Actually, the finance ministry's inability to release the funds in time could well render an important government policy decision ineffectual. Obviously, if harvest of boro and some other crops is badly affected then the whole idea of giving subsidy on fertiliser prices will be pointless.

The finance ministry must take the ground situation into account which calls for resuming the supply of fertilisers at a subsidised rate without wasting any more time.

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The crisis is another example of the lack of coordination between government agencies and ministries. The ministries of finance and agriculture should sit with the representatives of the fertiliser traders' association and bring a speedy end to the ongoing impasse.

The subsidy money has to be released immediately in order to set things right for the farmers who should have by now used 80 percent of the total quantum of fertiliser required for a good boro harvest.