The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)rates for P&K Fertilizers for the year 2018-19. The approved rates for NBS are as follows:

Per Kg Subsidy rates (in Rs.) 

Nitrogen (N)	Phosphorus (P)	Potash (K)	Sulphur (S)
18.901	15.216	11.124	2.722

The CCEA has also accorded ex-post facto approval on the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers subsidy paid on specific quantity of P&K fertilizers received in the districts during February & March months in different years since 2012-13 at the rates fixed for the next financial year which were lower than the rates approved by Cabinet/CCEA for that year.

The CCEA has authorized Department of Fertilizers for releasing subsidy, if required, as per the rates fixed for the financial year or of the next financial year whichever is lower on the specific category/quantity of P&K fertilizers received in districts during February and March months of the year in consultation with Department of Expenditure.

Financial Outlay:

The expected expenditure for release of subsidy on P&K Fertilizers during 2018-19 will be ₹ 23007.16 crore.

Background:

Government is making available fertilizers, namely Urea and 21 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers. The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is being governed by NBS Scheme w.e.f 01.04.2010. In accordance to its farmer friendly approach, the Government is committed to ensure the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers on affordable price. The Government has increased the subsidy expenditure by ₹ 1913.07 crore in comparison to Financial Year 2017-18 to save the farmers from the impact of increase in international prices of P&K fertilizers.

Nutrient based subsidy rates fixed for P&K fertilizers; subsidy release authorised at the lower of current or next year's rates. Approval fixes Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates per kilogram for nutrient components of P&K fertilizers for 2018-19 and records the expected financial outlay to support subsidy payments. It grants ex post facto approval for subsidy payments on specified P&K quantities received in February-March of prior years where lower next year rates were applied, and authorises the Department of Fertilizers, with the Department of Expenditure, to release subsidies at the lower of current year or next year rates for specified categories/quantities received in those months.