The Managing Director of IFFCO has once again reiterated his demand for direct transfer of subsidies to farmers. In his latest tweet Dr U S Awasthi has expressed hope that job of making biometric cards of the citizens would be completed by the year end.
He tweeted” #IFFCO hopes that direct transfer of fertiliser subsidy to farmers would be possible after completion of biometric ID registration this year.”
Making of biometric card fell on rough weather as it was a puppet project of the UPA government and analysts felt that the new government would do away with it. But Modi government was quick enough to express its confidence in the on-going project and assured its continuation.
The new Vice-Chairman of NITI Ayog, Arvind Panigarha who has been advising the Prime Minister even before taking over his new post, had strongly advocated for continuation of biometric project not only for its utility but also for saving huge investment already made in the scheme.
So far as IFFCO is concerned, it has on umpteen occasions voiced its wish and demanded that subsidy should reach directly to the farmers. Indian Cooperative columns are replete with Awasthi’s tweets on the matter.
The reason for this is not far to seek. IFFCO have had a history of subsidy woes. Though it transfers subsidies to farmers promptly the government is not equally prompt to honour its commitment. Sources say payment to the tune of several hundred crores are still pending with the government leading to fund crunch for the largest fertilizer cooperative of the world many a times.
Ranked high on the list of successful corporate, IFFCO wishes to break free of this subsidy trap and wishes to march ahead. It would also silence them who accuse it of growing on the governmental support, said an insider.
