Dealers urge for subsidy solace
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 25, 2012:
Authorised wholesale fertilizer dealers have urged the Government of Manipur to grant transport subsidy on existing urea fertilizer stocks without which the dealers stand to lose a huge amount of money.
In a memorandum addressed to the Agriculture Minister, the dealers conceded that without assistance from the Government they would not be able to procure any further stock for the remaining kharif crops or for upcoming rabi crops.
While applauding theGovernment's recent move to provide fertilizers at subsidised rate to the farmers in view of the hardships being endured by the peasant community due to erratic rainfall in the peak of agriculture season, the dealers nevertheless pointed out that prior to the Government announcement, the dealers had a stock of about 5000 metric tonnes of urea.
As the sale price of a 50 kilo urea bag comes to about Rs 500, subsidised rate of the Government at Rs 278.80 for the same quantity would mean that there would be no farmer willing to procure fertilizers from the dealers, mentioned the memorandum.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, fertilizer dealer Y Modhuchandra informed that authorised dealers had already lifted 9347 metric tonnes of urea from the Namrup Company.
Dibrugarh till date this year.
With the Imphal-Dimapur section of National Highway-2 yet to be freed from several armed groups, dealers had to bear additional cost while transporting urea consignments subsequently constraining the dealers to sell the fertilizers at a higher rate compared to the Government rate, Modhuchandra explained.
He suggested that the Government provide Rs 200 per bag transport subsidy which will enable the dealers to avoid possible loss of money.
A copy each of the memorandum has also been handed over to the Agriculture Commissioner and Director, Modhuchandra added.