October 23, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 23, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: The government has fixed urea price at Rs635 per bag after receiving reports of overpricing and sale of sub-standard fertilisers across the country.

The Fertilizer Review Committee, which met on Wednesday with the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Nazar Muhammad Gondal in the chair, asked farmers not to pay more than the fixed price.

The committee also advised growers to bring to the notice of district coordination officers and provincial agriculture departments if a dealer or any other person indulged in overcharging.

The minister told the meeting that the government would not allow anybody to rob the farmers. “The provincial authorities will take action against profiteers.”

The meeting was informed that the country had enough stock of urea and DAP (diamomium phosphate) fertilisers to meet the growers’ demand.

The ex-Karachi price of DAP per bag is Rs3,050. Urea will be available at Rs635 per bag all over the country, the meeting was told.

Fertiliser companies had increased the price of DAP

by Rs2,200 per bag because of delay in the release of Rs22 billion in subsidy by the government.

The price of DAP has now been brought down.

The minister asked provincial authorities to ensure availability of fertilisers and urged the provinces to cooperate with each other in curbing hoarding and smuggling.

A proposal to allow the private sector to import urea also came under consideration, but the meeting decided to put it before the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet at its next meeting.