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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3540 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026
DBT of fertilizer subsidy
3540. Shri G.C. Chandrashekhar:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the total fertilizer subsidy disbursed through DBT and the number of
beneficiaries covered;
(b) the irregularities or diversion instances flagged in audit or vigilance
reports; and
(c) the steps taken to tighten POS authentication and reduce fraud?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): The details of the total amount allocated and disbursed towards fertilizer
subsidy by the Government during the current financial year are as follows:
(Figures in Rs. Crore)
Financial Year Allocation Expenditure
2025-26
2,01,961.50 1,92,857.77
(as on 16.03.2026)
The total number of beneficiaries covered DBT in Fertilizers are 14.72 Crores
since 2017-18.
(b): In order to address the issues of hoarding, diversion and black-marketing,
fertilizers are declared as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities
Act, 1955 and notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. State Governments are
empowered to take action against persons involved in said malpractices, as per
provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received at Department of Fertilizers level
regarding these malpractices is sent to concerned State Government to take
appropriate action under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control
Order, 1985.
(c): The sale of subsidized fertilizer to the farmer is mediated via Aadhaar based
authentication through Point of Sale (PoS) device installed at Retailer’s level. At
present there is a monthly ceiling of 50 bags per buyer, i.e. a total no. of 300 bags per
season per buyer. The PoS application has been upgraded to display the past
purchased quantity by the buyer against the monthly and seasonal ceiling to introduce
transparency to the buyer.
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