PIL in High Court seeks timely, adequate diammonium phosphate allocation to Punjab
A petition has been filed in public interest before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking timely and adequate allocation of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser to Punjab. The Bench has fixed November 11 for hearing the petition alleging “acute shortage” of DAP fertiliser crucial for the upcoming wheat crop slated for sowing in Punjab from late October to mid-November.
Appearing in person, petitioner-advocate Fateh Singh Dhillon argued that the shortage could lead to significant crop losses and economic hardship for farmers. It would lead to “grave economic repercussions for farmers who rely on high productivity to sustain their livelihoods,” he added.
Dhillon stated that Punjab required around 5.5 lakh metric tons of DAP for the Rabi season but has only received an allocation of 1.1 lakh metric tons so far.
The petitioner submitted that the shortage could severely impact the state agricultural sector, which contributes significantly to its GDP and the country’s food grain reserves. “Punjab’s agricultural sector, contributing nearly 24 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product and forming a significant part of India’s Central Pool contributions, could face severe financial and logistical challenges due to this scarcity,” he submitted
The petitioner contended that any disruption in agriculture could exacerbate farmer unrest, potentially impacting public safety and national security as Punjab was a border state with a sensitive law-and-order situation.
The petitioner added directions, as such, were required to be issued by the authorities concerned to ensure timely and adequate DAP allocation to Punjab, mitigating potential crop failure and preserving the livelihoods of farmers.
“DAP shortage threatens not only the state’s economic stability but also the food security of India, given that a substantial portion of wheat for the public distribution system comes from Punjab. Immediate intervention of the court was required to safeguard both the agricultural productivity of the state and the broader public interest,” he said.
