Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, has urged the Centre to ensure adequate supply of urea to the state during this kharif season.
In a letter to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers JP Nadda, Naveen said that short-supply of urea along with its black marketing and adulteration, was a major concern for the farmers of the state. “In many districts, particularly in tribal areas, the farmers are on an agitation path due to non-availability of urea. If not addressed timely, it may cause serious disruption of farm activities which will impact production and also affect the livelihood of farmers,” he wrote.
He further noted that the farmers are unable to access 7.94 lakh tonnes of fertilizer stock as being claimed by the state government. “Urea is being sold illegally at a higher price than the Govt approved rate across Odisha,” he said.
Naveen also accused Markfed, the state agency, of diverting stock to private dealers at discounted rates. “Despite lower fertiliser use in Odisha, supply chain mismanagement and corruption have pushed our farmers to the edge.”
The LoP expressed concern over delay in Talcher Fertilizer Plant, whose foundation stone was laid in 2018. It was promised to be functional in 36 months, but seven years later, it still remains non-operational. Need of the hour is immediate crackdown on black marketing and punishment of guilty dealers and officials associated with fertiliser distribution through cooperative societies,” he added.
On Friday, Malkangiri saw protests after farmers received just one bag of fertiliser at Mathili LAMPS (Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society). They argued that such a meagre supply is grossly inadequate for their fields. Allegations that urea bags are being siphoned off into the black market, where they are reportedly being sold at prices as high as Rs 1,000 per bag, added to their frustration.
