Karnataka CM calls for calm, blames Centre

DAP Fertilizer Karnataka CM calls for calm, blames Centre Statesman News Service BANGALORE, June 11: Chief minister, Mr B S Yeddyurappa, todayblamed the Centre for the fertilizer crisis in the state even as heappealed to the agitated farmers to maintain peace and law andorder. The chief minister, who alleged that there was a politicalconspiracy to defame his government, has also prohibited the policefrom resorting to firing on the farmers whatever the provocation.The direction came after Siddlingappa, a farmer, died in policefiring yesterday at Haveri town while four others suffered seriousinjuries, after the farmers went on the rampage. They wereprotesting against non availability of fertilizers for sowing. The chief minister, who visited Haveri town this afternoon, alsohanded over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the deceased.The state was comparatively peaceful today. Mr Yeddyurappa told newsmen here that adequate steps were not takenduring the President's Rule period to ensure enough supplies offertilizers. He also blamed the Centre for the shortage, addingthat several manufacturers had stopped production in the last threemonths as the Union government had not released subsidy worththousands of crores due to them. He said against 52,962 tonnes on 1 April last year, the stocks ofdi-ammonium phosphate in the state in the corresponding period thisyear stood at a bare 3,821 tonnes. Similarly, the stock of complexmanures was around 73,800 tonnes last year against 9,409 tonnesthis April. He said the Centre had assured the state that in June this yearabout 1.2 lakh tonnes of DAP would be released. Against this, only23,000 tonnes was received. In New Delhi, senior BJP leader, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, joined in theattack on the UPA government on the issue, accusing it of utterlyfailing to make available the required quantity of fertilisers tostates. Discussion on this India item Disclaimer: These are Internet generated discussion threads forwhich the The Statesman has no responsibility. No discussions on this item Other India Afzal case has to follow logical course: Cong Wonder medicine plant claims to cure cancer Water man focuses on water woes at home Jamiat drive to educate people on Islam How can you share name with Nehru? SC asks rapist WTO heat haunts govt BJP firm on opposing nuclear deal Naxalite call on campuses Panel for zero tolerance to ragging incidents