Gireesh Chandra Prasad, KG Narendranath

New Delhi: The nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime that came with decontrol of farm-gate prices of phosphatic and and potassic fertilisers has kept the farmer happy with increased availability of these fertilisers at prices which they can pay, according to sources in the government and the industry.

NBS teething troubles should not thwart further reform

THE nutrient-based fixed subsidy for fertilisers using nitrogen, phosphorus and potash have been fixed between Rs 23.22 and Rs 26.27 per kg under the new nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy which will go into operation from April 1. This was communicated to state governments by the fertiliser ministry recenlty.

SATISH CHANDER
DG, Fertiliser Association of India Sector needs more such beneficial policies

Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister M.K. Alagiri on Monday made it clear that he would continue to oppose the Centre

Armed with Cabinet approval, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee seem all set to introduce the new nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy for fertilizer pricing in the Union Budget to be presented on February 26.

Finally, they have bitten the bullet on fertiliser subsidy. For the past three years, the Union government has agonised on the issue of mounting expenditure on this account and has not had the courage to cut the subsidy.

Jalandhar: With the approval of the new fertiliser policy, which replaces product-based subsidy with nutrition- based subsidy, by the Union Government there will be an immediate burden of Rs 170 crore on Punjab

In a bold move that will not just prune the humongous fertiliser subsidy bill but also change the face of agriculture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, aided by several Cabinet colleagues, on Thursday brought in a nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime.