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        Farmers in the Union Territory are piqued at the non-availability of commonly used fertilisers at outlets of Puducherry Agro Services and Industries Corporation Limited (PASIC).

        PASIC was formed by the Agriculture Department of the territorial government to provide fertilisers, manure and farming equipment at subsidised rates. Hitherto, farmers bought fertiliser brands like SPIC DAP, Vijay Complex and PACTOMPOS at nominal rates there.

        However, in the past couple of months, these sought-after brands among farmers have not been available at PASIC outlets and farmers have instead been asked to buy brands of other companies instead.

        In contrast, those fertiliser brands were available with private merchants.

        Farmers are now forced to buy SPIC DAP, Vijay Complex and PACTOMPOS in the open market, shelling out huge amounts.

        A section of farmers question as to why these brands are not available with PASIC when it is available in the open market in bulk.

        When approached, Vijayakumar, deputy general manager, PASIC, said, 'private merchants make pre-payment and buy fertilisers from those companies and stock them. Hence they are given preference. Hopefully the situation will improve.'

        Farmers now urge the Territorial government to intervene and take necessary measures to ensure the fertiliser brands (like SPIC DAP) are made available as PASIC outlets and that they should not be forced to buy other brands.