DBT in fertiliser subsidy on pilot basis from Nov 15

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 9

The Union government has identified 16 districts in the country, including Karnal and Kurukshetra, to start the direct transfer of fertiliser subsidy on pilot basis from November 15. The move aims to plug the incidence of pilferage and protect the interest of farmers.

Rajneesh Rai, district consultant of the project, said the Point of Sale (PoS) machines for the registration of farmers were being distributed to the retailers.

Pardeep Meel, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), said fertilisers would be given at subsidised rates after Aadhar-based identification of farmers, who won’t have to purchase fertilisers at market price.

Meel said the farmers would purchase fertilisers at subsidised rates and the amount of subsidy would be paid directly to the manufacturer on the basis of actual sale. Currently, the subsidy is paid to the manufacturer on the basis of receipts produced by retailers.

He said this would help prevent the pilferage of fertiliser for industrial use and to neighbouring UP, adding, the farmers would get an SMS on the purchase of fertiliser.

Rai said farmers would be recommended on the use of fertilisers as the Aadhar would be linked to soil health card and land holding record.

He said this would help create strong database regarding sale by retailers and buyer details, including demographic data, bank account details, Aadhar number, land record etc.

The government has fixed a budget of Rs 70,000 crore as fertiliser subsidy for the current fiscal.