Government clears pending urea subsidy payments for 2014-15

NEW DELHI: The government today said it is clearing pending subsidy payments of Rs 27,477 crore to indigenous urea manufacturers for 2014-15.

There was an estimated shortage of funds for payment of subsidy on indigenous urea to the tune of Rs 27,477 crore in 2014-15 due to carried-over liability, Minister of State for Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir today said in the Lok Sabha.

"However, after allocation of funds under BE 2015-16, the pending subsidy claims on indigenous urea are being cleared," Ahir said.

The minister also said that in order to meet the outstanding urea subsidy claims, a request was also made to avail loans from PSU banks up to Rs 27,477 crore under a Special Banking Arrangement (SBA).

"However, the request was not considered," the minister added.

Ahir also said there is no proposal with the government to revise the Nutrient-Based Subsidy Scheme.