India to make more international tie-ups for urea import: Paswan

Mumbai, Apr 14 (UNI) The government may truck joint ventures (JVs) with more countries besides Oman to meet the huge demand of fertilisers, Union Minister for Fertilisers, Chemicals and Steel, Ramvilas Paswan said today.

Paswan was here to unveil the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at the Rashtriya Chemicals&Fertilisers (RCF) Ltd campus.

Following a bitter phase of fertiliser deficiency confronted in the last two years, the country had imported 46 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of urea, of which 16 lakh MT was from Oman and the rest from other sources at much higher rates.

''Discussions were held with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister regarding the joint ventures with atleast four foreign countries for the import of urea. The stalemate visible in the growth of fertiliser sector since year 1999 should be tackled without delay'' Mr Paswan told reporters.

The fertiliser demand in the country is expected to multiply in the ensuing years and is estimated to go up to nearly 300 lakh MT within the next five years. The 'fertiliser monitoring system' announced by the Union Ministry to ensure urea availability across the country will be implemented more effectively to prevent anomalies in distribution.

''The ministry plans to bring the distribution of fertilisers from district level to block level and Rs 1,000 crore are allocated for the purpose. Those states with larger number of dealerships will be given preference,'' Mr Paswan said.

On the issue of fertiliser subsidies, he asserted the need to introduce 'direct subsidy system' to farmers.

The minister also indicated the need for effectively imparting the reservation in public sector which has been reluctant in following the recommended reservation patterns.

He also reiterated the need to bring more competitiveness in the judiciary by installing Indian judicial Service (IJS) on the exact pattern of other civil services.

''Its essential to safeguard the public faith in judiciary in any circumstances. Inclusion of judiciary among other civil services under the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) could be the right way,'' he added.

UNI