Haryana Government rebuts Surjewala’s claims on DAP shortage

The Haryana Government has countered Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala’s allegations of a DAP shortage, releasing data that disputes the incidents he claimed occurred. According to the government’s press statement, the state’s DAP consumption during the last Rabi season was 2,29,086 MT. As of November 7, the state has received 1,71,002 MT, including an opening balance of 53,970 MT on October 1, 2024, with 26,497 MT of stock currently available across various districts.

Regarding NPK, the state has received 65,200 MT, including an opening balance of 42,908 MT, with 26,041 MT of NPK stock available. Additionally, farmers use Single Super Phosphate (SSP) for crop production, with the state receiving 90,722 MT of SSP, including an opening balance of 79,527 MT, and 71,380 MT of SSP currently available.

Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, stated that the total area under wheat and mustard cultivation in Haryana is 24 lakh hectare and 10 lakh hectare, respectively. Farmers use Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Nitrogen Phosphate and Potash (NPK), and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) according to their preferences. The state expects to receive an additional 14,574 MT of DAP by November 11.

The government also addressed specific incidents mentioned by Surjewala, denying reports of lathicharge in Uchana, farmers’ protests in Narwana, Guhla Cheeka, and Kaithal on October 26, and DAP distribution from police stations in Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, and Narnaul.

On November 4, farmers protested and blocked a road in Sirsa briefly, but they were assured of a regular supply, which the state is facilitating, added the spokesperson. From October 1 to November 7, Sirsa received 15,794 MT of DAP and currently has a stock of 1,573 MT. The district is expected to receive an additional 2,419 MT within the next two days.

Referring to the incident in Badhra, Charkhi Dadri, on November 5, the spokesperson clarified that while DAP had arrived, a large number of farmers gathered for the fertiliser. Local SDM and officials were present to ensure smooth distribution.

“In October and November last year, DAP fertiliser sales in the Charkhi Dadri district reached 2,891 MT. This year, as of November 7, 3,745 MT has been made available, which is higher than the previous year,” the government stated in the press release.