Paswan promises Karnataka help in importing more DAP

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Union Fertilisers and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today assured Karnataka that the Centre will facilitate import of an additional 70,000 tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) by the state in an effort to encourage its ''proactive approach'' to maintaining the growth in productivity.

An assurance to this effect was given by Mr Paswan to Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who met the Minister at his residence seeking central help in procuring additional DAP required in July.

The zonal conference of the Chief Ministers had estimated Karnataka's requirements at 17.845 lakh tonnes and the state's own assessment was that it would require 70,000 tonnes more of DAP to meet its needs.

During the meeting it was pointed out that Karnataka was free to import additional quantity of DAP through private companies as it was put in the Open General Licence category.

The central facilitation for the import was necessary as it had to part with subsidy component to the supplying firm directly.

During the meeting Mr Swamy also raised the issue of reopening of the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company which had been closed under the orders of the Supreme Court for environment reasons.

Mr Paswan said an expert committee had been asked to file its report on the issue and the state government could submit its affidavit before the court detailing the actions taken to correct the environmental imblance caused by the mining of ores around Kudremukh hills in the Western Ghats.

UNI MCN LR BD1437