The department of fertilisers (DoF) is working on an arrangement with a consortium of PSBs for a loan amounting to R25,000 crore to pay outstanding fertiliser subsidy dues to the manufacturers. Urea manufacturers receive subsidy under the new pricing scheme (NPS) to cover the differential between the cost of production and distribution, and maximum retail price controlled at a low level. DAP and complex fertiliser manufacturers receive subsidies under the nutrient-based scheme (NBS)—a ‘fixed’ amount linked to nutrient content, viz nitrogen, phosphate and potash. The budget for 2012-13 provided for an allocation of around R60,000 crore towards fertiliser subsidies. These funds were exhausted in the first 4 months of the current fiscal. DoF needs an additional Rs 40,000 crore to...
More No comments