Fertiliser shortage sparks uproar in Chhattisgarh assembly house; 23 Congress MLAs suspended; later reinstated
Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam responded to the concerns, after which Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the motion. This led to protests and slogan-shouting by Congress MLAs in the Well, prompting a brief adjournment of the House. Subsequently, 23 MLAs were suspended for entering the Well, but were later reinstated.
Presenting the adjournment notice, Dr Mahant stated that farmers cultivating paddy during the Kharif season are facing a severe shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser.
He alleged that the state government has failed to ensure adequate fertiliser supply and has advised farmers to use alternative chemical fertilisers, which has increased cultivation costs by Rs 55 per acre.
Dr Mahant claimed that an artificial scarcity of fertiliser has affected the state for the past two years, attributing it to the government's "lack of will and indifferent attitude towards farmers". For the Kharif 2024 season, the government had set a target of 3.40 lakh metric tonnes of DAP but only managed to stock approximately 50,000 metric tonnes less than the demand.
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For Kharif 2025, the government set a supply target of 3.10 lakh metric tonnes, but only 1 lakh metric tonnes have been stocked so far. Dr Mahant emphasised that DAP fertiliser is crucial for optimal paddy yield, yet only about 30 per cent of the total requirement has been made available to the state. He added that the central government allocates the fertiliser quota for the state.
Dr Mahant stated that despite having a "double-engine" government, farmers are forced to abandon their farming work and protest on roads at state, district, and block levels due to the fertiliser crisis.
Farmers allege that government cooperative societies lack fertiliser, while black marketing of fertiliser is rampant in the open market, compelling them to purchase DAP from the market at Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per bag.
He further added that alternative fertilisers, advised due to the DAP shortage in primary cooperative societies, are more expensive and of inferior quality compared to last year, imposing a double burden on farmers.
Dr Mahant highlighted that this is not the first time the state has faced a fertiliser problem, with similar conditions prevailing last year. He demanded an immediate discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion to alleviate farmers' distress.
Patan MLA and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel added that farmers in Chhattisgarh are suffering due to the fertiliser crisis. He stated that the government has failed to provide fertilisers, forcing farmers to purchase them at double the price from open markets.
In response, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam stated that the government is raising awareness among farmers for balanced use of fertilisers and providing training on alternative fertilisers. He acknowledged that phosphatic fertiliser supply was affected, prompting early alternative arrangements. He stated that nano fertilisers were recommended and stored in large quantities.
The minister stated that global reasons have affected the supply of chemical fertilisers.
He added that fertiliser storage exceeded targets, and potash and other fertilisers were also stored. He informed the House that sowing had been completed in over 28 lakh hectares, surpassing previous figures.
Following the minister's statement, Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the Opposition's adjournment motion. Dissatisfied with the decision and the minister's statement, Congress MLAs protested and chanted slogans in the Well, leading to another brief adjournment of the House.
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