Govt. has not authorised any private entity to import fertilisers from foreign countries : MInister

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New Delhi : The Government has not authorised any private entity to import fertilisers from foreign countries. Import of fertilisers (other than Urea) is free and on private account under OGL commonly known as Open General Licence (OGL). Various companies import these fertilizers as per their commercial judgment, and not by any authorisation by the Government.

Urea is under statutory price control and presently for its direct agriculture use, the import on Government account is permitted through State Trading Enterprises (STEs) namely MMTC Limited (MMTC), State Trading Corporation Limited (STC), and Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) under the Foreign Trade Policy of the Government. Of the above mentioned STEs, MMTC and STC are PSUs of Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and RCF is a PSU of Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, according to a PIB release.

Government is also importing urea from Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO) under a Long-Term Urea Off Take Agreement (UOTA) between GOI & OMIFCO. The project is promoted by Indian Farmers and Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) and Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd. (KRIBHCO) from India side and Oman Oil Company from the Omani side. IFFCO and KRIBHCO are distributing the OMIFCO urea to the States as per supply plan of Government of India. The Government monitors the activities of the private fertiliser importers to ensure the timely supply of fertilisers to farmers.

This information was given in a written reply by Union Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in Rajya Sabha on December 6, 2019.