Implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in fertilizer supply from January next year in Telangana is unlikely with very few retailers (dealers) procuring the Point of Sale (PoS) devices, reports Hindu.
Official sources say “not even 50% of the required PoS devices are deployed in districts, even as the deadline is approaching fast”.
There are about 6,000 fertilizer retailers in Telangana besides another 1,000 primary agriculture cooperative societies and outlets run by district cooperative marketing society selling fertilizers to farmers in Telangana. However, according to the website of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, only 209 retailers in Ranga Reddy district have the PoS devices as on October 3.
Under the DBT scheme, the fertilizer companies would get the disbursement of subsidy amount only if the sales are conducted with the help of PoS devices.
The deployment of PoS devices also includes distribution, registration of retailers in PoS operation and entry of initial stocks available at retail point besides training of retailers for using the devices.