Farmers are not getting DAP and seeds, Bhupesh Baghel roared in the Assembly: Government replied with figures – 15 big things

Chhattisgarh Assembly There was a huge uproar on the issue of farmers on Tuesday in the monsoon session. Congress accused the state government of not providing adequate fertilizers and quality seeds to farmers during the Kharif season. The opposition termed the government as ‘anti-farmer’ and demanded a detailed discussion on this issue through an adjournment motion.

However, the Assembly Speaker did not approve the proposal, after which 34 Congress MLAs and one Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) MLA reached the well of the House. Under the rules, he was suspended for some time, but later the suspension was withdrawn and the proceedings of the House proceeded.

What happened in Chhattisgarh Assembly?

1. During Zero Hour in Chhattisgarh Assembly, Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other Congress MLAs alleged that farmers are facing many problems amid the Kharif paddy season. He said that there is shortage of DAP, potash and high yielding paddy seeds in the state, due to which farming work is being affected.
2. Bhupesh Baghel alleged that there is not enough stock of DAP and potash in the primary agricultural cooperative societies, whereas this fertilizer is most essential at the time of sowing and transplanting. He said that on the other hand, the government has kept excess stock of urea and nano fertilizers, which are not needed immediately.
3. Baghel also alleged that the Agriculture Department is misleading people by showing total fertilizer figures, whereas there is a shortage of fertilizers which farmers actually need.
4. The former CM also said that seeds of improved varieties of paddy preferred by farmers are also not available in sufficient quantity. He alleged that due to less rainfall, farmers have already become dependent on pump sets for irrigation and their problems have increased due to lack of seeds.
5. Congress also raised the issue of AgriStack portal. He said that farmers are facing difficulties in registering on the portal, making corrections in land records and crop details, whereas registration on this portal has been made mandatory for taking crop loan and selling crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
6. Congress alleged that the government is not able to solve these problems, due to which farmers are increasing worried about the future. For this reason, the opposition demanded a detailed discussion through an adjournment motion.
7. Responding on behalf of the government, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam rejected all the allegations of the opposition. He said that there is no shortage of fertilizers and certified seeds in the state.
8. The minister said that against the target of 15.55 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer for the Kharif season, 14.06 lakh tonnes (about 90 percent) of fertilizer has already been stored.
9. Netam said that against the target of 4.95 lakh quintals of certified seeds, 4.76 lakh quintals of seeds have been stored. Whereas against the demand of 4.79 lakh quintals of certified seeds of paddy, 4.72 lakh quintals have been made available.
10. The Agriculture Minister said that despite the global conditions, 1.67 lakh tonnes of DAP, i.e. 56 percent of the target, has been made available in the state. At the same time, 99 percent stock of potash has been completed. He said that it is wrong to say that the need of phosphorus and potash can be met only by DAP and potash. Options like NPK fertilizer and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) are also available in sufficient quantity for the farmers.
11. Netam said that 95 percent of the required stock of NPK fertilizer and 146 percent of single super phosphate is available in the cooperative societies. He also clarified that the use of nano fertilizers is based on scientific advice and it is completely optional for the farmers.
12. Ramvichar Netam said that the state government is in constant touch with the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers. The result of this effort is that about 96 thousand metric tons more fertilizer is available this year compared to last year.
13. Netam also said that sufficient power is available for irrigation and the district administration has been instructed to ensure supply of diesel to the farmers who have diesel pumps. In view of the situation of less rainfall, contingency plans have been prepared for all the districts and necessary advisories are also being issued to the farmers from time to time.
14. After the Agriculture Minister’s reply, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh rejected the adjournment motion. Dissatisfied with this, Congress MLAs and GGP MLAs reached the well of the House and started raising slogans.
15. He was automatically suspended under the rules of the Assembly. However, after some time, the Speaker withdrew his suspension and continued the proceedings of the House normally.