AP faces problems in fertiliser distribution

Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah said on Tuesday that his government was taking all steps to ensure adequate supply of fertilisers to farmers for the ongoing kharif crop season.

"Since there was a huge demand for fertilisers, there was some problem in distribution. Added to this, the number of railway rakes was not adequate for transportation of fertilisers leading to the crisis at some places," the chief minister said on the sidelines of a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) meet in Hyderabad.

Despite this, the government supplied 31.07 lakh tonnes of fertilisers till Monday, Rosaiah said, adding that they would supply a total of 36.32 lakh tonnes by the end of this month.

"In 2008 we supplied 31.72 lakh tonnes of fertilisers in the state and a record 204 lakh tonnes of food grain production was achieved in the state. This year we plan to achieve a food grain production of 210 lakh tonnes," Rosaiah said.

He admitted that the government failed to place the facts on fertiliser supply before the people despite ensuring proper supply. "My ill-health had nothing to do with it. But we never imagined people will play such politics using the farmers as a cover," he said, in reply to a question.
Meanwhile, the chief minister did not show any after-effects from his recent illness as he strongly urged the executive committee of FICCI for new investments in the state.

"I know you have apprehensions about disturbances in the state, but I would personally like to assure you that the government of AP will extend all support to industry for peaceful operations in the state... be assured that your investments are safe, especially in Hyderabad," Rosaiah told the captains of industry at an interaction.