CHAPTER-I

INTRODUCTION 

1. The main objective of the Department of Fertilizers is to ensure adequate and timely availability of fertilizers for maximising agricultural production in the country and for this purpose to promote and assist industries in the fertilizers sector and to plan and arrange import and distribution of fertilizers.

2. The main activities of this Department in relation to the industry are overall sectoral planning and the development and regulation of the industry under the Industries (Development and Regulations) Act, 1951 and the broad industrial policy of the Government as well as monitoring of production, pricing and distribution of the output. The activities of this Department also include the administrative control of the public sector and co-operative undertakings in these areas.

3. The Department of Fertilizers is a Department under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers under the overall charge of a Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers with Minister of State to assist the Minister. Secretary to the Government is the administrative head of the Department and is assisted by two Joint Secretaries. A Financial Advisor of the rank of Joint Secretary advises the Secretary in financial matters. He heads the Finance Division and Accounts Wing of the Department.

4. There is one attached office under this Department, viz, the office of the Executive Director, Fertilizer Industry Co-ordination Committee (FICC). This office provides the Secretariat support to the Fertilizer Industry Co-ordination Committee constituted to administer the Retention Price Scheme for Nitrogenous Fertilizers and various incentive schemes to augment indigenous production of Fertilizers.

5. In addition, the Department deals with the following nine public sector undertakings and two co-operatives:-

i. Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited

ii. Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited

iii. Madras Fertilizers Limited

iv. National Fertilizers Limited

v. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited

vi. Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Limited

vii. Projects and Development India Limited

viii. Pyrites, Phosphates and Chemicals Limited

ix. Paradeep Phosphates Limited

x. Indian Farmers Fertilizers Co-operative Limited

xi. Krishak Bharati Co-operative Limited

6. The Department also has administrative responsibility for Indian Potash Limited, a company with shareholding by private, co-operative and public sector fertilizer companies.