No decision yet on direct transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers: Indian Govt

The government on Tuesday said that they have not taken a final decision for the implementation of direct cash transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers yet, but the issue was under active consideration.

"Direct Cash Transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers has been under discussion at various forums. A Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary has been set up to develop the broad contours of the DTC framework, under which DCT to farmers can be implemented. The committee in its meeting on January 16, 2020, had recommended the constitution of Nodal Committee to be co-chaired by Secretaries of Department of Fertilizers and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare to formulate and implement Direct Cash Transfer in Fertilizers," said the Fertilizer Minister Sadanand Gowda during the question and answer session in Lok Sabha.

He added that the nodal committee has held two meetings, but no decision has been taken yet for implementation of Direct Cash Transfer of fertilizer subsidy to farmers.

The government also said that the Department of Fertilizers has constituted Chintan Shivir Working Group on Direct Benefit Transfer to farmers under the chairmanship of the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

“The working group has been tasked to examine the feasibility of introducing a direct fertilizer subsidy transfer to farmers, criteria for selection of farmers and their entitlement, criteria for determining the amount of subsidy to be transferred to farmers’ accounts and periodicity of subsidy transfer. It has held several meetings with all the stakeholders. But a final decision is yet to be taken,” said Gowda.

Answering a question by Bathinda MP as to which stakeholders the Centre had consulted from Punjab, and what the view of the Punjab government was on the matter, Gowda said: “Consultations have been held nationally in all states including Punjab. It is only after we finalise the issue and take some decision that I will be able to tell you what the Punjab government view is.”