**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers to Unstarred Question No. 1055 regarding forced bundling of fertilizers, to be answered on December 5, 2025. The response clarifies the government's stance on the issue, highlighting existing regulations and actions taken. No specific deadlines or action items are mentioned beyond ongoing monitoring and enforcement.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Framework:**
* Fertilizers are declared essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
* **Enforcement:**
* State Governments are empowered to act against black-marketing and overpricing of fertilizers.
* Complaints received by the Department of Fertilizers are forwarded to State Governments for action.
* **Bundling/Tagging:**
* The Department of Fertilizers does not encourage tagging or bundling other products with fertilizers.
* Directions are issued to fertilizer companies to prevent such practices.
* **State Government Involvement:**
* The Department of Fertilizers regularly requests State Governments to take strict action to prevent tagging.
**Impact Analysis**
**Fertilizer Companies**
*Impact:* Subject to directives against forced bundling of fertilizers. Must comply with the Essential Commodities Act and the Fertilizer Control Order.
*Action Required:* Cease any practices of forced bundling or tagging of other products with fertilizers.
**State Governments**
*Impact:* Empowered and expected to enforce regulations against black-marketing and overpricing. Responsible for taking action on complaints regarding fertilizer malpractices.
*Action Required:* Take appropriate action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 when complaints of black-marketing/overpricing of fertilizers are received.
**Farmers**
*Impact:* Aims to ensure fair access to fertilizers without additional financial burdens due to forced bundling.
*Action Required:* No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The primary government ministry addressing issues related to fertilizers.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: Act under which fertilizers are declared an essential commodity.
Fertilizer Control Order, 1985: Order notified under the Essential Commodities Act for the control of fertilizers.
State Governments: Empowered to take action against illegal activities like black marketing of fertilizers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1055 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
FORCED BUNDLING OF FERTILIZERS
1055: SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that several fertilizer-producing companies
are engaging in forced bundling, compelling retailers to purchase non-essential
products along with essential fertilizers like Urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP),
thereby financially burdening the farmers, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any investigation into such coercive
trade practices and their impact on farmers’ financial conditions, especially in
agriculture regions where farming is the main source of livelihood;
(c) whether any regulatory action has been taken against such companies under
the Essential Commodities Act or Competition Act to prevent exploitation, if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government intends to introduce stricter monitoring and policy
measures to ensure direct and fair access to fertilizers for farmers without additional
financial burdens, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (d) 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 black-
marketing/ overpricing, as per provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received
at Department of Fertilizers level regarding black marketing/over-pricing of
fertilizers is sent to concerned State Government to take appropriate action
under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
Further, tagging/bundling of other products with fertilizers is not encouraged by
Department of Fertilizers. Accordingly, suitable directions are issued to fertilizer
companies directing them not to indulge in such practices. Further, D.O. letters are
regularly written to State Governments requesting them to take strict action as per
extant rules to prevent tagging.
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