A Day After Centre Denies Urea Shortage, Punjab BJP Chief Seeks Additional DAP and Assured Urea Supply

Just a day after the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers stated that Punjab is not facing any shortage of urea, Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon has written to Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers J.P. Nadda, urging immediate steps to ensure adequate availability of DAP and uninterrupted urea supplies during the ongoing Kharif paddy sowing season.

Dhillon has raised concerns over the availability of key fertilisers in the state during the crucial Kharif sowing season, despite the Centre's recent assertion that there is no shortage of urea in Punjab. In a letter addressed to Nadda, he sought urgent intervention to ensure adequate and timely supply of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and urea for farmers across Punjab. The letter comes at a time when paddy transplantation and related agricultural activities are gathering pace in the state.

Centre Counters Punjab Urea Shortage Claims, Says Stocks Sufficient

Dhillon said that while he appreciated the assurances provided by the Union government during a recent meeting, the situation on the ground warranted immediate attention. He noted that Punjab, one of the country's leading agricultural states, frequently experiences shortages of DAP and urea at district and retail levels during June and July, when demand peaks due to paddy cultivation.

According to the BJP leader, any disruption in fertiliser availability during this period can have serious implications for farm operations. He stated that shortages often force farmers to wait in long queues at cooperative societies and retail outlets, leading to delays in sowing and other field activities. Such delays, he argued, can adversely affect crop productivity, water-use efficiency and, ultimately, the state's contribution to grain procurement.

Dhillon also highlighted concerns over hoarding and black marketing that can emerge during periods of constrained supply. He said that farmers are sometimes compelled to purchase fertilisers at prices above the prescribed Maximum Retail Price (MRP), increasing their financial burden.

To address these concerns, the Punjab BJP chief urged the Centre to release additional DAP allocations for Punjab during the Kharif 2026 season. He requested that sufficient stocks be made available at district and block levels before demand reaches its peak.

The letter also called for measures to ensure uninterrupted urea supplies through close coordination among the Union government, the Punjab government and fertiliser agencies. Dhillon further proposed a strengthened monitoring mechanism involving the ministry, fertiliser companies and state authorities to prevent diversion, unauthorised stocking and black marketing.

In addition, he sought a review of fertiliser allocation formulas to ensure that Punjab's actual requirement during the Kharif season is adequately reflected in supply planning.

The development is significant as it comes immediately after the Centre maintained that there was no shortage of urea in Punjab, highlighting differing assessments regarding fertiliser availability during one of the state's most important agricultural seasons.