Urea procurement reaches 6741 metric tonnes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 21 2011: After taking into account the quantity of urea needed by farmers of the State, urea procured by the State has reached 6741 metric tonnes.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Agriculture Directorate Nodal Officer (Fertilizer) N Achouba has declared that strong punitive actions would be initiated if any one is found hoarding or selling urea at inflated prices.

During 2010-11 and between April and July 19 of 2011-12, the State Government procured 3209 and 6741 metric tonnes of urea respectively.

However, following break down of Namrup-3 which is a major urea manufacturing unit of Namrup BVFC Factory in the first week of June, fertilizer productivity of the factory was drastically reduced.

After the break down of its unit-3, the factory could not supply the State's full quota of urea.

With Namrup-2 manufacturing only 500 metric tonnes of fertilizers in a day, the State could not get the necessary allocated share of fertilizers.

Nevertheless, urea procured by the State so far has reached 6741 metric tonnes.

On the other hand, following a request by the Government of Manipur to the Government of India, 1300 metric tonnes of fertilizers was ferried from the Guwahati based IFFCO Limited and the consignment reached Silchar on July 18 .

The same consignment would reach Imphal within a week if there is no major obstacle on the highway, N Achouba said in his statement.

Already some trucks have been detailed for transporting the fertilizer consignment from Silchar to Imphal.

On the average, around 10 trucks would be ferrying fertilizers from Namrup factory on daily basis.

Moreover, Fertilizer Inspectors have started going for inspection rounds in all the districts to see that fertilizers are distributed/sold according to guidelines.

The Fertilizer Inspectors have also been instructed to take up stern actions if any one is found hoarding or selling fertilizers at inflated prices.

He further appealed to farmers not to purchase fertilizers at abnormal prices.

The amount of Rs 2 crores sanctioned for giving subsidy on purchasing fertilizers was approved by the Chief Minister only on July 20, it added.

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