GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIERS

LOK SABHA

STARREDQUESTION NO: 2

ANSWERED ON: 15.03.2012

SUPPLY OF NATURAL GAS

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI 

 (a) whether the supply of natural gas to the fertilier producing units in the country has been curtailed;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; 

(c) the percentage reduction made in the supply of natural gas during the year 2011; 

(d) whether the said reduction is likely to result in decline in the production of fertiliers and also increase the cost of production; and 

(e) if so, the estimates in this regard and the corrective measures takenproposed by the Government thereon?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA) 

 (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of House.   

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS

(a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.2 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15-03-2012 REGARDING SUPPLY OF NATURAL GAS. 

 (a) No, Madam.   

(b) to (e) As per the existing policy of the Government, the requirement of natural gas of urea producing units in the country is to be met fully. As per the decision of Empowered Group of Ministers, the existing gas based Urea plants have been accorded first priority in allocation of gas. Natural gas is used as fuel and feed stock by urea producing units. Shortfall if any of indigenous gas supply is covered up by procuring SPOT gas (imported). During the year 2011, there was no cut in the production of urea due to non-availability of natural gas.