Government does monitor the activities of the private fertilizer importers to ensure the timely supply of fertilizers to farmers.
The following steps have been taken by Government to ensure timely supply of fertilizers to farmers of the country: -(I) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the requirement of fertilizers. After assessment of requirement, DAC&FW projects month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
(II) On the basis of month-wise & State-wise projection given by DAC&FW, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/ adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability through following system:
i. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored throughout the country by an on-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
ii. The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers of fertilizers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents for railway rakes through their state institutional agencies like Markfed etc
iii. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of Fertilizers (DoF), and Ministry of Railways with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
iv. The gap between demand (requirement) and production is met through imports. The import for the season is also finalized well in advance to ensure timely availability.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri. D.V.Sadananda Gowda in Rajya Sabha today.
Nationwide Feedback Diwas to be observed tomorrow to get stakeholders' response to new GST returns
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chairs First Meeting of Consultative Committee of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Pradhan informed that the Government is working towards a transformative change in energy sector by ushering in gas-based economy by increasing share of gas in India’s primary energy mix from current 6.2 % to 15% by 2030. Similarly, Biofuels will play a crucial role in India’s energy sector as well as assisting in the transformation of anna data to urja data, thus positively impacting the farmers in the country.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducts All India Special drive against persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Divyangjans and women passengers
5938 number of drives were conducted over all Indian Railway and fine of Rs. 12.18 lakhs were collected in both the drives
2,844 number of drives were conducted over All Indian Railways against persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Persons with Disabilities. 3094 number of drives were conducted over All Indian Railways against unauthorized persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Women.
The total number of cases registered during these drives is 10726. A total of 12,825 persons were arrested under Section 155 of the Railways Act with realization of fine of Rs. 12.18 lakhs in both the drives.
The action taken by Eastern Railway (1004 cases) was the best followed by North Central Railway (596 cases) and Western Railway (576 cases) in the drive conducted against persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Persons with Disabilities. The action taken by Eastern Railway (1,407 cases) was the best followed by North Central Railway (880 cases) and Central Railway (789 cases) in the drive conducted over All Indian Railways against unauthorized persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Women.
All the zonal units of RPF have been instructed to continue such raids/drives in future to deter unauthorized persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Divyangjans and women to ensure their safer and secure journey across Indian Railways.
Govt sanctions Rs 100 cr to set up women help desks in police stations
Union Home Ministry has sanctioned a sum 100 crore rupees from Nirbhaya Fund for setting up and strengthening of Women Help Desks in Police Stations.
This scheme would be implemented by the States and Union Territories
The Help Desks would focus on making the Police Stations more women-friendly and approachable, as they would be the first and single point of contact for any woman walking into a police station.
Essentially, lady police officers would be deployed at these help desks.
The officials of Women Help Desk would be trained to be sensitive towards women
These help desks would have enlisted panel of experts like lawyers, psychologists and NGOs to facilitate legal aid, counselling, shelter, rehabilitation and training.
Slashing Corporate Tax is effective reform to attract more investments: Sitharaman
The Rajya Sabha has returned the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, after approving it as passed by the Lok Sabha.
Replying to the discussion in the Upper House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, slashing the Corporate Tax remains an effective reform measure to attract more investments.
The Minister rebutted allegations that the amendments are aimed at helping big corporate and said the Corporate Tax rebates as provided for are applicable to all the companies registered under the Companies Act including the MSMEs.
Ms Sitharaman clarified that the new tax rebate is extended to only new companies so as to attract fresh investments to the country.