Latest news with #Urea
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Business Standard
10-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
CCI orders probe against RCF for unfair sale of products with urea in Maha
The Competition Commission of India has ordered a probe against state-run Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers for allegedly compelling dealers and farmers to buy other products along with urea in Maharashtra. Acting on a complaint filed by an individual, the fair trade watchdog said the conduct of RCF appeared to contravene provisions of the Competition Act, including those relating to abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive agreements, according an order. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has directed its investigation arm, the Director General, to probe the matter and submit a report within 60 days. It was clarified by CCI that the observations were preliminary and would not prejudice the outcome of the investigation. The complainant (individual) alleged that RCF, a 'Navratna' PSU and a leading fertiliser maker, was compelling dealers and farmers to buy non-subsidised products such as water-soluble fertilisers along with urea. The CCI noted that urea's maximum retail price is government-fixed and heavily subsidised, making it an essential input for farmers. The complainant submitted evidence including letters from government departments and dealers' associations, media reports, and video recordings showing forced sales. Despite repeated warnings from central and state authorities against the practice, complaints persisted across Maharashtra, the complainant said. The competition watchdog noted that RCF accounted for over 42 per cent of the urea supply in the state in 2023-24, far ahead of its nearest competitors. Given the regulated nature of urea distribution, farmers in Maharashtra were highly dependent on local manufacturers, it observed. The Commission said that "RCF holds a position of dominance in the market for sale and supply of Urea in the State of Maharashtra and by tying the sale of other products with that of Urea, it appears that it has leveraged its position to enter into or to protect the market for other products". Such leveraging by a dominant entity has been frowned upon under the scheme of the Act as it hinders fair competition in the market. In this context, the Commission is of the prima facie view that there appears to be a violation of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act, the regulator added. RCF, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, operates units in Trombay and Thal in Maharashtra. It produces urea, complex fertilisers, micronutrients, and industrial chemicals.
New Indian Express
08-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
No shortage of fertilisers in Andhra Pradesh, CS assures ryots
VIJAYAWADA: There is currently adequate stock of urea and DAP fertilisers available in the State as per the requirement of the farmers, so there is no need for any worry, said Chief Secretary K Vijayanand. On Thursday, he held a video conference with the district collectors from the State Secretariat along with the Agriculture Department officials. He said the State requires 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of urea for the month of August, currently 2.04 lakh metric tonnes of urea is available at the field level. Thus, the Chief Secretary clarified that while 70,000 metric tonnes of DAP is required, 88, 248 metric tonnes are currently available, so no farmer needs to worry about fertilisers. Meanwhile, Vijayanand instructed the collectors to take strict measures to prevent the diversion of subsidised urea i.e. AGU (Agrigrade Urea) for industrial needs i.e. fluid wood, paints, ad blue manufacturing, livestock and poultry industry units, and aqua farmers for feed purpose. In this regard, he immediately held a coordination meeting with the officials.
Hans India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MP govt treating farmers like ‘criminals': Kamal Nath
Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Thursday criticised the state government of the BJP for registering FIRs against farmers who protested over the shortage and black-marketing of fertilisers in the state, asserting that the government is treating the farmers like "criminals". 'Even the British didn't treat our farmers like the BJP government is treating them,' said the former Chief Minister upon reaching the State Assembly to attend the ongoing monsoon session. Over 130 farmers in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara have been booked by police for protesting over the shortage of Urea fertiliser a few days ago. The police have booked all the farmers under charges of being anti-social elements. "Instead of providing fertilisers to farmers, the government has given only assurance, and now they have gone too far. More than 130 farmers in Chhindwara have been booked under the charges of anti-social elements. Farmers are being treated worse than criminals," Kamal Nath told IANS at the Assembly premises. He said that the BJP government claims that there is no shortage of fertiliser in Madhya Pradesh, so why are farmers not being provided fertiliser, and why are farmers protesting? He reiterated that farmers across Madhya Pradesh, including in Chhindwara, have been struggling to obtain Urie fertiliser for over a month. 'Poor farmers stand in queues from morning to evening, they don't get fertiliser, instead they are beaten up by the police. The practice of filing criminal cases against poor farmers for demanding fertiliser must be stopped, and the cases filed need to be withdrawn in a just manner," Kamal Nath said. Meanwhile, he also slammed the BJP government, accusing it of having a negligible approach towards government-run schools in the state. Citing the School Education Department's reply submitted in the House, Congress leader said that around 60 per cent of government-run school buildings are in a poor state. "What is more shocking is that 1,300 schools are functioning without even a single teacher, while 700 schools have only one or two teachers. There are more than 2,000 teachers who have qualified exams and are waiting for their appointment. This is the real situation in Madhya Pradesh," Kamal Nath added.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fertilizers available, but ryots struggle amid staff apathy
Visakhapatnam: Although fertilizers are available in adequate quantities at the district level for this Kharif season, farmers are struggling to obtain them. Staff at Rythu Seva Kendras and other distribution centres have shown a lack of urgency, forcing many farmers to turn to private dealers — where they are compelled to buy fertilizers at steeply inflated prices. Even after the govt instructed the administrations in the district to provide fertilizers, the fertilizers are not within the reach of the farmers due to negligence in distributing them by the staff at the district level. There are allegations over the Rythu Seva Kendras. The district authorities are now supplying the fertilizers that have reached the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies from MarkFed. Sources say that the stocks at Rythu Seva Kendras have remained the same for the past few months. "The usage of Urea is high presently, and we have been searching for the stocks. There are no stocks at private dealers. Even if they have quantities, they have been enhancing the prices and cashing in on the situation," a farmer in Vizianagaram district, K Rama Rao, said. The higher officials in the agricultural department estimated the required quantity of Urea and other fertilizers and sent around 90% of the estimated quantities. The majority of Urea stocks are in Rythu Seva Kendras, sources said. They further added that the transfers of village agricultural assistants over the past month have been creating problems for the farmers, as VAAs are not distributing fertilizers and are also not inclined to hand over the stock details or register them. The authorities are attributing the delay in Urea distribution to the transfers of Village Agricultural Assistants. The Agricultural Department higher officials say that this will be resolved in seven to ten days. The district agricultural officers advised the farmers to bring any issues in fertilizer supply to their notice. The govt has sent sufficient quantities of fertilizers to districts. "When we ask about DAP, Potash, Super Phosphate, Complex fertilizers, and others, Agricultural Department officials say that those fertilizers are available. But, the local staff have been saying that technical issues have been creating problems," another farmer, Appala Naidu, said.
India.com
14-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
India hits China hard after Xi Jinping's betrayal, gets full support from THIS country, farmers to get..., country is..., not US, UK, Russia, Japan
Big move by Modi govt as India decides to work with this Muslim country to give tough competition to China, not Iran, Afghanistan, the masterplan is… New Delhi: In a major development, Indian fertilizer companies IPL, KRIBHCO, and CIL have signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Ma'aden company. The agreement pertains to the supply of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer. As per the agreement, the company will supply 3.1 million tonnes of DAP fertilizer to India every year for the next five years. The agreement has come into effect from the current financial year. Both sides may extend the agreement for another five years through mutual consent. This deal was signed during an official visit to Saudi Arabia by India's Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, JP Nadda, and was finalized in his presence. China Imposed Ban In India, DAP is the second most widely used fertilizer after Urea. China has imposed a ban on the export of phosphate, which is an essential component for making DAP fertilizer. As a result, DAP production in India has declined. Additionally, China has also halted the shipment of specialty fertilizers from June 26. These specialty fertilizers are used to boost the yield of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. It is important to note that this agreement will make DAP fertilizer easily available to Indian farmers. The Kharif crop season is currently underway. A shortage of DAP at the beginning could have affected crop production. DAP fertilizer is used immediately after sowing. How is the trade between the two countries? Both India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations by including other essential fertilizers like urea along with DAP. J.P. Nadda said that this agreement will be highly beneficial for Indian farmers. It will ensure timely availability of fertilizers and improve crop yields. India imported 1.905 million tonnes of DAP from Saudi Arabia in the financial year 2025, which is approximately 17 percent more than the 1.629 million tonnes imported in the previous financial year 2024.
