ASAMB TO BE SOLE DISTRIBUTOR: System launched to end urea distribution monopoly

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Agriculture Department has initiated a significant measure by launching a new SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to streamline the supply and distribution of urea in Assam. Henceforth, the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) will be the sole distributor of urea in the State and it will directly supply urea to registered retailers.

The ASAMB will procure urea from manufacturers such as the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd, IFFCO etc., and provide it to the registered retailers for distribution to farmers.

Launching the new system here on Monday, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said that the step had been taken in view of evidence that some dealers and retailers were violating official norms regarding supply and distribution of urea by indulging in monopoly trade. He said that in view of credible evidence of irregularities, the licenses of 1,272 retailers had been already cancelled. He added that more than 3,000 persons/firms had already applied for retail licenses under the ASAMB and some of them have been granted licenses.

Bora said that from now on the entire process of supply and distribution of urea will be online and it will be centrally monitored to prevent any anomaly. He informed that the ASAMB has set one cell each in 33 districts for the purpose and that one godown will be also set up in each district for storage of urea. He further said that although the new SOP was prepared in July this year with a view to regulating the supply and distribution of urea, it could be implemented only now due to some technical issues.

The Director of the Agriculture Department, Anant Lal Gyani wrote to the District Agricultural Officers of 20 districts on August 12 in connection with "improper management of the fertilizer distribution system" and sought detailed responses from them. He had further instructed the District Agricultural Officers to take appropriate action against errant companies and submit reports in this regard. It was noticed by the department that some individuals and firms had obtained more than one retail licence in different districts and were monopolizing the trade in three-four districts.

It now remains to be seen as to how effective the new SOP will be in streamlining the supply and distribution of urea to the farmers of the State.

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