Government-tightens subsidy purse; sets stage for price increases

摘要

The Union Budget for 2013-14 has provided for flat growth in fertiliser subsidy, thereby setting the stage for fresh increase in the prices of decontrolled fertilisers if international sentiments turn bullish. IthasearmarkedRs. 65,971.50-crore as total subsidy expenditure, which is almost same as the revised provision of Rs. 65,974.19-crore for current fiscal year. It does not take into account the spill over from the current fiscal. Eventually, when adjustments are made for current year's backlog, the subsidy provisions are unlikely to be enough.