Seeking to remove any fears over scarcity of fertilisers in the country, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the Government was ready to increase fertiliser subsidies or make higher imports if the situation so required.Responding to charges by Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh, who said a ‘fertiliser famine’ was prevailing in the country, Chidambaram said there were enough stocks of urea available in the country.“There is no fertiliser famine. There are enough stocks of urea with the Government. We are committed to ensure that there is absolutely no shortage of fertilisers in the country. If that means importing higher amounts or increasing the subsidies on fertilisers, it will be done,” he said during a debate in the Rajya Sabha over Finance Bill. “This Government has given the highest priority to agriculture and will do nothing to hurt the farmer community,” he said.The Fertiliser Ministry had demanded an increase of Rs 60,000 crore in fertiliser subsidies this year. The demand, if approved, can raise the fiscal deficit of the Government by one per cent. He also dispelled fears over food scarcity, saying the Government would be able to build strategic reserves.“We have had record procurement of foodgrains this year. I am sure we will meet the target of 150 lakh tonnes procurement for wheat and would be able to build strategic reserves also,” he said.Participating in the debate earlier, JD(U) member N K Singh asked the Government to carry out administrative reforms to improve the efficiency of the Public Distribution System so that the foodgrains meant for the poor are able to reach their intended targets.“The Government must think out of the box to ensure that PDS system is made more efficient. Some innovative thinking is required to prevent the leaks that take place,” he said in his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha.He also warned against volatile short-term money flows and the need to balance the rising rupee with the interests of the exporters. A former Revenue as well as Expenditure Secretary and also a former member of the Planning Commission, N K Singh described the budget as “expansionary”, a description with which Chidambaram agreed.Talking about the high growth rate, Chidambaram said growth, though imperative, was not an end in itself. “Growth is just the starting point. The ultimate aim is inclusive growth. This Government has done more for inclusive growth than any other in the past,” he said.
