The Centre’s decision to rebrand the “One Nation One Fertiliser” scheme as Pradhanmantri Bharitya Janurvarak Pariyojna (PMBJP) drew flak from the Opposition. The Congress said the PMBJP was yet another attempt of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at self-promotion.
The Union Fertiliser Ministry issued an order on Wednesday to implement ‘One Nation One Fertiliser’ by introducing single brand for fertilisers and logo under the PMBJP. “The single brand name for UREA, DAP, MOP and NPKS etc. would be BHARAT UREA, BHARAT DAP, BHARAT MOP and BHARAT NPK etc. respectively for all Fertiliser Companies, State Trading Entities (STEs) and Fertiliser Marketing Entities (FMEs),” the order said. A logo indicated the PMBJP would also be used on the fertiliser bags. “Two-third of the fertiliser’s bag will be used for new brand name and logo with PMBJP and one-third will be used for using fertiliser companies’ name, logo and other information as required in different Rules and Regulations etc,” the order said.
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Commenting on this, AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said there was nothing that the Sarvavyapi (a term he uses to address the Prime Minister) did for self-promotion should surprise us any more. “Latest is the decision to sell all fertilizers under one brand and that too as part of PMBJP. One Nation, One Man, One Fertilizer!,” he tweeted.
Senior Congress leader and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said the Narendra Modi government reduced the fertiliser subsidy by 25% from ₹ 1,40,122 crore in 2021-22 to ₹ 1,05,222 crore in 2022-23. “And now it claims fake credit by directing ‘One Name’ and the Subsidy to be shown on bags under PMBJP Scheme. Will the PM and BJP answer how does ‘One Nation, One Fertiliser’ benefit the farmers? Would it not confuse the farmers in choosing the right brand? Will it not be harmful to farmers? Can quality of fertilisers manufactured by different companies be same? Will it not stop the fertiliser companies from undertaking extension activities? Will farmers be at mercy of selling agent/dealer as all fertilisers will look the same,” Mr. Surjewala asked.
