5 defunct fertiliser units to start operation by 2010

Lucknow, Nov 30 (UNI) Union Fertilisers and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said five government sector fertiliser units would be revived by 2010 after availability of gas to run these units in profit.

''Government has taken up the issue to revive the five units at Gorakhpur, Durgapur, Barauni, Haldia and Sindri after availability of gas by 2008-09,'' Mr Paswan informed here.

Talking to reporters, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president said there existed a wide gap between fertiliser supply and demand in the country and revival of these units would certainly help cope with the demand.

At present, there is a shortfall of 40 lakh tonnes of urea in domestic production as the demand is 250 lakh tonnes, while the production is only 210 lakh tonnes. The demand of fertiliser is also expected to cross 290 lakh tonnes by 2011, Mr Paswan added.

''We have to import 40 lakh tonnes of urea along with 35 lakh tonnes of DAP, thus affecting country's foreign reserve,'' he said adding the revival of these five units would add 10 lakh tonnes of fertiliser in the country's production.

Commenting on the revivial of these five units during this financial year, the minister said only fertiliser plants based on gas were viable. ''Hence, the revival plan has been delayed till 2010 as gas would be in abundance after the proposed agreement with Iran -- scheduled to be held in the next fiscal.'' Earlier, these fertiliser plants were being run on Naptha, which is a costly affair, he added.

Blaming the Uttar Pradesh government for fertiliser shortage in the state, he alleged ''our records show there is huge stock available with the state government.'' ''Poor distribution system and hoarding are the main reasons for the shortage of fertilisers leading to problems for the farmers,'' Mr Paswan claimed.

The minister announced by next month, the centre would monitor the online distribution of fertilisers in each district.

''It is unfortunate that even after giving subsidy to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore in fertilisers, the farmers are facing such problems,'' he lamented.

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