The story so far: In an order on Wednesday, August 24, the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers issued a memo announcing the implementation of the “One Nation One Fertiliser” scheme under which a single brand and logo for fertilisers will have to be used by all manufacturers under the Centre’s fertiliser subsidy scheme newly renamed as a Prime Minister’s scheme- “Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna” (PMBJP).
The announcement drew criticism from Congress which called it a way for the Prime Minister to promote himself, terming it the “One Nation, One Man, One Fertiliser” scheme. Party leaders also asked how the scheme would benefit farmers and if it would stop fertiliser companies from engaging in extension activities as they would be selling under a single official brand name.
