PoS device shortage hits fertiliser subsidy transfer

Vishal Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, December 27

Short supply of point-of-sale (PoS) devices has hit the implementation of the much-awaited ambitious direct benefit transfer (DBT) of fertiliser subsidy in the state.

The state agriculture authorities said the scheme might be fully functional in January if the handheld devises were provided in time.

An official said fertiliser manufacturing companies were facing difficulty in getting PoS machines, as the bulk of it was being diverted to banking industry these days because of demonetisation.

“There are a few PoS supply vendors in the country and demonetisation led to a sudden surge in the demand of the devices in different sectors. But we expect supplies to be eased in the next few days,” said an official.

Early this year, the Central government had planned to roll out DBT in the fertiliser sector and 14 districts were chosen in the country for a pilot project. Haryana’s Kurukshetra and Karnal districts were among those shortlisted.

It was scheduled to be implemented from December 16 after a series of field trials, but non-availability of devices led to roadblock.

Dr Karamchand, Deputy Director, Agriculture, told The Tribune that of the 550 devices needed in Kurukshetra, the district authorities had received about 320.

Similarly, availability of PoS machines in the neighbouring Karnal was also insufficient, said sources.

“We have successfully conducted trial runs in the district. Barring a few spots in the Babain block of Kurukshetra, there were no connectivity issues with the PoS machine working. We are geared up to make the scheme functional at all cooperatives and retailers by the next month,” he said.

Unlike liquefied petroleum gas or food grain, the Centre won’t transfer the subsidy into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, which in this case have to be farmers.

In case of fertilisers, the government has introduced the DBT model wherein manufacturers will be paid subsidy only for the fertiliser bought by the intended beneficiaries, who will be duly identified through their Aadhaar card details.