Govt expected to save 15% on this account

In a measure that would give relief to the government’s subsidy bill, the Union Cabinet today gave a nod to the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for 2013-14. These are expected to cut the fertiliser subsidy by about 15 per cent in the current financial year, compared to 2012-13. After oil and food, the fertiliser sector is the third largest contributor to the government’s subsidy bill. According to the Budget proposals, the Centre wanted to cut the subsidy bill on these three to Rs 2.21 lakh crore for 2013-14, as compared with about Rs 2.47 lakh crore during 2012-13.