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Panel to probe sale of fertilisers in black market

Patna: Bihar Assembly was on Thursday thrown into turmoil over alleged blackmarketing of fertilisers in the State as Speaker Udai Narain Choudhary announced that he would constitute a house committee to probe into the allegations.

Replying to a short-notice question of CPI-ML MLA Ramdeo Verma over alleged shortage of fertilisers, particularly DAP and urea, State Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh said the shortage was caused by ‘short supply’ by the Centre through fertiliser-manufacturing units across the country.

He said against the demand of 11.10 lakh metric tonnes of urea, the Centre had made available 10.80 lakh metric tonnes.

“There has been a shortage of 44,500 metric tonnes of both urea and DAP necessary for catering to the requirements of the farmers,” Mr. Singh said.

He along with some CPI-ML and CPI MLAs then stormed the well urging the chair to constitute a house committee to go into the allegation.

All the RJD and Congress MLAs present in the House stood on their seats expressing solidarity with Mr. Verma and demanded that a house committee be formed.

Sensing the mood of the opposition MLAs, the Minister also urged the Speaker to do the needful and constitute a House panel which should be asked to submit its report within 15 days of its coming into existence after inquiring into all the angles involved relating to sale of fertilisers on black market.

Mr. Choudhary then announced that he would set up a house committee to probe the matter. The committee would be asked to submit its report within 20 days. PTI

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