Odisha CM writes to Centre over urea shortfall

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday wrote a letter to the central government to draw its attention towards the shortage of urea in the state.

In a letter to union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar, Patnaik said Odisha has received only 3,09,278 tonnes of urea so far for this Kharif season against the allocation of 4,50,000 tonnes.

"This short fall in urea is most likely going to affect the crop production adversely" the chief minister said. "During the corresponding period of last year, 4,14,291 tonnes of urea was supplied to the state."

"It is learnt that two vessels of urea of Indian Potash Ltd and Coromandel International Ltd have been berthed at Vizag and Kakinada ports, respectively.

"I shall appreciate if 25,000 and 20,000 tonnes of urea are allocated in favour of India Potash Ltd and Coromandel International Ltd, respectively, for supply to the state by 20 September 2014," he wrote in the letter, a copy of which is in possession of IANS.

"Further all the companies may be directed to expedite their supplies on war footing to meet the need of the farmers," the chief minister.