National Urea Pricing Policy to be announced shortly: Paswan

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) The Government is expected to announce the National Urea Pricing Policy within a month or so aimed at benefitting farming community as well as the industry.

While receiving a Dividend Cheque of Rs 39.78 crore from NFL here today, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that final touches were being given to the Policy and will be announced shortly to take care of both-the end-users and the producers.

Besides,the measures are being taken to revive eight sick fertilizer units by spending Rs 400 to 600 crore on each unit, depending on their size and requirements. Mr Paswan, however, did not rule out involvement of private enterpreneurs and other PSUs in the revival process of these units.

He said the Ministry is also contemplating to introduce monitoring system for urea.

The Minister also informed that there was no shortage of fertilizer in the country as on September 30, no State showed the shortage but it seems the problem was with the distribution channels. The price of urea also remained the same in the last 4-5 years.

On delay in paying the subsidy, Mr Paswan made it clear that now the subsidy is being paid after the stocks reach district levels which ensure that fertilizer would reach the farmers in time.

Earlier, the susbidy was paid when stocks reached the States.

He further said that by 2008 there would be adequate availability of gas which would help produce more fertilizer with less cost of production.

Replying on iron ore, Mr Paswan said that there is no restriction on its exports but it should be done only after meeting the domestic requirements.

The Minister expressed his view that exports of high quality iron ore should be stopped gradually as the high grade product has limited stocks in the country.

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