Pilot Projects on DBT in Fertilizers

Why in news?

Union government with the guidance of NITI Aayog is implementing pilot projects on DBT in fertilizers.

How the pilot project is being implemented?

• Initially NITI Aayog decided to roll out the pilot project on DBT in fertilizers in 16 districts.
• Since then DBT in fertilizers has been rolled out in 19 States and Union Territories and 12 States are expected to come on board by Feb 2018.
• By June 2018, DBT in fertilizers is expected to expand its footprint in the entire country.
• These initiatives have been supplemented by Department of Fertilizers, including appointment of 24 State DBT co-coordinators, and organising about 4,500 training sessions across India.

What is the role of technology in DBT in fertilizers?

• Each time a farmer purchases fertilizers from a dealer, he/she presses his or her thumb at a point-of-sale (PoS) device and an authenticated receipt comes out giving details of the purchase and subsidy to be paid by the government directly to the manufacturer.
• The records of dealers are automatically updated and payment is made digitally or in cash.
• Training videos are also placed on YouTube, and the comprehensive redress system in place is being expanded to a multilingual help desk.
• Connectivity issues has been addressed through flexibility in choosing the connectivity option (Wifi, LAN, PSTN) or use of external antenna to improve signal strength.

What are the benefits of DBT technology?

• Farmers, especially those purchasing urea were facing constraints of availability and occasionally overcharged in the past, now satisfied with new DBT mechanism.
• DBT in fertilizer envisages transfer of subsidy to manufacturers upon authentication of purchase by farmers.
• This restricts diversion, prevents leakages, and brings about greater transparency, accountability and efficiency.
• Through this new mechanism farmers received transaction receipts, and were charged the same amount as mentioned in the receipt.
• The grievance redress mechanism has improved and retailers are also satisfied.

What more needs to be done?

• The application device must be made agnostic so that retailers can use desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. to run the application.
• A toll-free number need to be created soon to allow conversations in regional languages will help the farmers.
• The waiting time for farmers purchasing fertilizers need to be reduced.
• While Aadhaar is the preferred form of identification of buyers, other forms of identification should also be used.
• The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers (2016-17), in its 36th Action Taken Report, has recently emphasised that while implementing DBTs, subsidy should be disbursed directly to the farmer’s bank account.
• This requires serious consideration while Phase-I is implemented and stabilised.

Source: The Hindu