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New fertiliser policy by next month

The government is likely to come out with a comprehensive fertiliser policy by June.

The policy will introduce phased de-regulation and a market-oriented system, ending the era of protectionism in the industry.

Addressing the chief executives of the public sector as well as co-operative fertiliser companies, Union Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister Surjeet Singh Barnala said the government is examining the recommendations of the high-powered committee on fertiliser prices, submitted in April. This will allow it to give final touches to the new fertiliser policy, he said.

Barnala said the new policy would bring further challenges for the fertiliser industry and its success would depend on the cost-effectiveness and efficiency in every sector of operation including marketing and managing of farms.

However, he said the guiding principles of the new policy will be protection of farmers as well as of the industry.

The minister called upon the PSUs to frame their policies based on the priorities delineated in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition's national agenda for governance.

He called upon the industry to face this daunting task as it was all along enjoying protection both in respect of production and marketing.

Fertiliser PSUs and co-operatives should also plan big for the future and tap new opportunities both at home and abroad, he said.

He cautioned them against allowing cost overruns while expanding and modernising the plants.

Minister of State for Fertilisers and Chemicals Dr A K Patel asked the industry to lay more emphasis on bio-fertilisers. He said bio-fertilisers could be effectively used to increase the crop yield by 10 to 20 per cent.

UNI