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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
China is using fertiliser as a weapon. And Modi government has shown little urgency to help farmers
I was in Bihar last week. A young farmer named Raju Singh greeted me with folded hands. But his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. 'Sir, bijli kabhi hai, kabhi nahi. Ab DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) bhi gaya. Ab boliye, kya ugaayein? Kyu ugaayein?' (The power supply is erratic. Now even DAP supplies have stopped. What do we grow now?) The question, 'Why even farm?' should give nightmares to policymakers in Delhi. When farmers stop wondering what to grow and start asking why, we are not facing an agricultural crisis. We are staring at an abyss of depleting national morale. Raju isn't alone. Across Bihar — in Siwan, Samastipur, Darbhanga — I heard versions of the same story. Farmers queuing up for fertiliser and being told to 'wait', while private agents jack up prices under the counter. Some bought DAP at Rs 1,750 a bag — Rs 400 above the notified price — according to local mandi reports. Others simply gave up. Fertiliser stock levels in India are nearly half of what they were at the same time last year. With such limited availability, prices are skyrocketing. The decline is largely due to China's informal ban on fertiliser exports to India. Despite the absence of a formal notification from their government, customs authorities and port officials in China have stopped clearing fertiliser shipments destined for India. India is the largest importer of DAP in the world, the second-most used fertiliser in the country after urea. China has historically been the top exporter of DAP to India. Eighty per cent of India's speciality fertilisers — crucial for high-value horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables — also come from China. As the kharif sowing season (June–July) is underway, the shortage of DAP and speciality fertilisers is back-breaking for Indian farmers. The government has shown no urgency. It has repeatedly raised slogans of Atmanirbhar Bharat. But this spirit of self-reliance is hardly reflected in primary sectors like agriculture. We are told to blame global forces for the disruptions, but this isn't a global halt. This ban is exclusive to India. Why the ban? China has a tendency to weaponise trade to solve territorial disputes. In 2010, a collision between a Chinese fishing boat and Japanese coast guard vessels near the disputed Senkaku Islands (known as the Diaoyu Islands in China) led to the detention of the Chinese captain by Japan. In response, China halted rare earth exports to Japan, although this was not officially announced. India, of course, has its own unresolved territorial dispute with China. This is China's way of arm-twisting India into submission. The Narendra Modi government is yet to call out China. At the time of the dispute, Japan, too, was heavily reliant on China for its rare earth supplies. It took the matter to the WTO, and in 2014, it ruled against China to stabilise rare earth matter generated ripples across the world as many countries re-evaluated their reliance on China. Japan, for example, initiated efforts to diversify its supply chain of rare earth reserves. Consequently, its dependence on China for rare earth reserves has gone down by at least 30 per cent. Having witnessed China leverage its rare earth dominance with Japan, the Modi government should have moved on a war footing to reduce India's dependence on China from the day it assumed office in 2014. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) urged the government to establish an India Rare Earth Mission. This suggestion first fell on deaf ears. It is only during the past couple of months that the Centre has sprung into action on this matter — albeit too little and too late. It is too late because India is already a victim of China's informal ban on the export of rare earth reserves. It is too little because this last-minute diversification of supply chains and the endeavour to boost domestic production of rare earth reserves are welcome, but not enough. As for fertilisers, the bulk of India's existing DAP production capacity was established under successive Congress governments. The BJP, on the other hand, during the past 11 years, has only shown interest in producing polarising propaganda. The Modi government now finds itself facing a rather unconventional form of warfare. China is not directly challenging India on a battlefield or in diplomatic forums. Instead, it has launched a covert assault on farms, infrastructure projects and our manufacturing sector. The truth is, we are losing ground. Today, the ban on the export of rare earth magnets is slowly suffocating our manufacturing sector — especially defence, EVs, and electronics. Exploration and diversification of the supply chain are being taken up only now, when the damage is already done. Chinese firms have refused to supply spare parts for tunnel boring machines used in critical infrastructure projects in India, citing vague procedural hurdles. China is throttling our agriculture during the peak season. All we have received in the name of policy over the past 11 years are rebranded schemes and repackaged slogans. In the last three months alone, over 750 farmers have died by suicide in Maharashtra. The scarcity of fertilisers will spike fruit and vegetable prices, fuel food inflation across rural India and hurt the urban middle class. States like Bihar that are already net importers of several nutrient-rich crops will bear the brunt. Let's be clear: This isn't the doing of foreign forces. It's a failure of Indian hands: Those in charge who promised atmanirbharta and delivered dependence, those who promised vision and delivered a vacuum. Across the country, farmers, workers, and families are fast seeing through the BJP's propaganda. The day isn't far when they'll return the favour of indifference to the BJP — with a quiet, decisive and stinging lesson in democracy. The writer is chairman, media and publicity department, AICC
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar tourism minister Raju Singh sparks row over liquor ban remarks
Image used is for representational purposes only PATNA: State tourism minister Raju Singh has stirred controversy by referring to the Gujarat model of liquor prohibition, prompting sharp reactions from the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Speaking to the reporters on Saturday, Singh said, "Though I am not authorised to say anything on the liquor ban in Bihar, discussions are going around about giving some concessions to the industrialists and film industry." The minister acknowledged that the liquor ban, in effect since April 2016, has partially impacted the state's hotel and film industries, as well as tourism. However, he clarified that any decision on changes to the policy would be taken in a cabinet meeting. "Due to this policy, both hotel and film industry are facing some difficulties. However, the govt is taking these problems seriously," he said. His remarks drew a quick response from the RJD, which accused the NDA govt of attempting to dilute a landmark social reform initiated during the Mahagathbandhan era. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed said, "People like the minister have started trying to fail the liquor ban campaign in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Everyone knows that liquor ban was implemented in Bihar during the Mahagathbandhan govt. For this, a record-breaking human chain was formed and registered in the Guinness Book of Records. It is unfortunate that the people who had taken an oath at that time are the same who have started to fail the liquor ban campaign. " "BJP netas have started a campaign to weaken the historic decision of the Mahagathbandhan govt in Bihar," he added. The issue has gained political traction with Union minister and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressing criticism of the current form of prohibition. He argued that the law has led to increased harassment of dalits and backward communities in the state.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tourism minister sparks row over liquor ban remarks
Patna: State tourism minister Raju Singh has stirred controversy by referring to the Gujarat model of liquor prohibition, prompting sharp reactions from the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Speaking to the reporters on Saturday, Singh said, "Though I am not authorised to say anything on the liquor ban in Bihar, discussions are going around about giving some concessions to the industrialists and film industry." The minister acknowledged that the liquor ban, in effect since April 2016, has partially impacted the state's hotel and film industries, as well as tourism. However, he clarified that any decision on changes to the policy would be taken in a cabinet meeting. "Due to this policy, both hotel and film industry are facing some difficulties. However, the govt is taking these problems seriously," he said. His remarks drew a quick response from the RJD, which accused the NDA govt of attempting to dilute a landmark social reform initiated during the Mahagathbandhan era. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed said, "People like the minister have started trying to fail the liquor ban campaign in the state. Everyone knows that liquor ban was implemented in Bihar during the Mahagathbandhan govt. For this, a record-breaking human chain was formed and registered in the Guinness Book of Records. It is unfortunate that the people who had taken an oath at that time are the same who have started to fail the liquor ban campaign. " "BJP netas have started a campaign to weaken the historic decision of the Mahagathbandhan govt in Bihar," he added. The issue has gained political traction with Union minister and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressing criticism of the current form of prohibition. He argued that the law has led to increased harassment of dalits and backward communities in the state.
News18
09-05-2025
- General
- News18
'Remember Pahalgam, Don't Look Back': Village Bids Farewell As Soldier Cuts Short Leave
Last Updated: The Indian Army canceled all leaves amid war-like conditions at the border. Soldier Raju Singh Rathod from Rajasthan cut his leave short, receiving a heartfelt village farewell With India and Pakistan on the brink of full-blown war, the Indian Army has cancelled all leave for its personnel. Across the country, soldiers who had briefly returned home are now making their way back to the frontlines, answering the call of duty without hesitation. Among them is Raju Singh Rathod, a soldier hailing from Chauradi Aguni in Surajgarh area of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Raju Singh had been on a month-long leave since April 19, spending precious time with his children. He shared that during his leave, he had visited his children's maternal home in Shahjahanpur. It was there that he received instructions from headquarters informing him that his leave had been cancelled and he must report back to duty. Without delay, he returned to his village and immediately set off to rejoin his unit. As he prepared to leave, his village gathered to see him off in a heartfelt and patriotic farewell. His mother, with tearful eyes, urged him to return victorious. His father, retired Subedar Sumer Singh Rathore, garlanded his son and blessed him with a soldier's words: 'Don't look back, son, duty comes first." His wife, Roop Kanwar, holding back her emotions, reminded him of the pain inflicted by terrorists in Pahalgam and asked him to defend the nation's honour. Local women sang traditional folk songs, and children waved the tricolour as villagers chanted ' Bharat Mata ki Jai" with pride. The emotion in his words, and the pride in his stride, reflected the spirit of countless Indian soldiers ever ready to defend the nation, even at the cost of personal sacrifice. First Published: May 09, 2025, 12:06 IST
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
J-K: Ceasefire violated after "7-8 years", we are on "high alert", says villagers as Pakistan fires along LoC
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Amid ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army in multiple sectors, including Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir villagers are on "high alert" and said that they are witnessing ceasefire violations nearly after 7-8 the Akhnoor region's Pargwal sector, villagers reported hearing several rounds of gunfire late at night."About 10 to 12 rounds were fired last night. The Indian Army also retaliated. This kind of ceasefire violation is happening after 7-8 years," said Ankur Singh, a resident of Pargwal, speaking to added, "We are used to all of this, but we are on high alert right now."Another local Raju Singh, a local says "3-4 rounds were fired last night at around 8:30-9 PM. We were working in our farms when we got a call to stop everything and return back to our homes. After that nothing happened...".He further added that 50 per cent of the crop is yet to be Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked small-arms firing during the intervening night of April 29 and 30 from its posts across the Line of Control ( LoC ) in multiple sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a swift and proportionate response from the Indian Army, according to lndian a statement issued on Tuesday, the Indian Army reported that Pakistforces targeted Indian positions in the Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors in the Jammu region. Later updates confirmed that similar ceasefire violations were also recorded further north in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, as well as across the International Border (IB) in the Pargwal sector."During the night of 29-30 April, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the Line of Control opposite the Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors. Indian Army troops responded swiftly and proportionately," the Army Pakistan extended the firing to additional locations across the LoC in Baramulla and Kupwara, in north Kashmir, along with the Pargwal sector along the IB. The Indian Army maintained that its troops retaliated appropriately to all such violations.
