Fertiliser being sent to MP, Raj farmers harassed by online booking system, says Ashok Gehlot
Jaipur, Sep 3 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has criticised the BJP government over reported difficulties being faced by farmers in obtaining fertiliser and said farmers across the state are facing the challenge.
Reacting to the situation, Gehlot said farmers were suffering in the entire state. He alleged that the government’s new online fertiliser booking system, which was introduced to streamline distribution, has instead created additional difficulties for farmers.
According to him, technical glitches, server downtime and long queues are forcing farmers to spend hours trying to obtain fertiliser, with some ultimately returning empty-handed. The Rajasthan government has introduced an online system under the Framework for Fertiliser Sales (FFS), allowing farmers to check availability and book fertiliser digitally. The system is intended to make fertiliser distribution more transparent and reduce unnecessary queues.
However, Gehlot criticised the implementation of the system, saying, “The BJP government’s new online booking system, instead of providing fertiliser, has become a means to harass farmers.”
He further alleged that farmers in Rajasthan are being denied their rightful share of fertiliser while supplies are being sent to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. Gehlot said, “The most shameful thing is that the state’s farmers are being denied their rightful share of fertiliser, which is being sent to Madhya Pradesh.”
He also targeted the BJP government’s “double-engine” model of governance, alleging that it has failed to ensure adequate fertiliser reaches farmers in Rajasthan.
“The BJP government’s double-engine system has failed in ensuring fertiliser reaches the farmers. Farmers across the entire state are victims of this mismanagement,” Gehlot said.
The Congress leader also directly questioned Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma over the issue, asking how long farmers would have to face difficulties in securing fertiliser. “Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, please respond – how long will farmers have to endure this torment?” Gehlot said.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Vijay, assistant director, agriculture department, Jaipur, said that this is a temporary phase as a new app has been introduced. “These are technical issues, and we are working on them,” he added.
The controversy comes amid the rollout of digital fertiliser booking mechanisms in Rajasthan, with the government saying the system is aimed at improving transparency, monitoring stock and ensuring subsidised fertiliser reaches farmers more efficiently.
–IANS
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