Minister calls for addressing fertiliser issues

Union Minister of State for surface transport and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has urged for addressing issues affecting the normal production of fertilisers in the light of Centre's suspension of subsidy to the naptha-run fertiliser units.

Radhakrishnan, who raised the matter with the Union Minister for chemical and fertilisers, Ananth Kumar, highlighted the plight of thousands of employees/distributors affected due to the suspension of grant of subsidy to naphtha-based fertiliser units, from October 1, 2014.

He said the issue has led to shortage of urea to farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Radhakrishnan drew the attention of Kumar to the fact that both Madras Fertilisers Limited (MFL) and Southern Petro-Chemical Industries Company Limited (SPIC), engaged in naphtha-based fertiliser production, had suspended the production of urea. He urged the minister to take immediate action keeping in mind the welfare of farmers and employees, according to release.