Mandi Bahauddin: June 20, 2011. (Sheer Gondal) Shortage of fertilizers has caused severe distress among farmers in Mandi Bahauddin district, members of the farmers’ organizations have said. Speaking to presspersons here on Sunday, President Kisan Wing, Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society Abdul Ghani Gujr has urged the Government to sort out the problem of shortage of fertilizers which surfaces at the start of sowing season every year. He said according to media reports, Parliamentary Secretary for Industries, Pir Haider Ali Shah had informed the National Assembly that there was no shortage of fertilizers in the country and 0.2 million tons fertilizers had already been imported for the current season and that currently fertilizer was available at Rs.1300 per bag and it would further decrease at Rs.240 per bag. Pir Sahib also told that prices of fertilizers would remain constant and availability of fertilizers would be ensured in the market. Ghani said that contrary to the statement of Pir Sahib the traders have created shortage of fertilizers to fleece the peasants. Urea bag is sold for Rs. 1500. Traders refuse to sell Urea if demanded on fixed rate. Plus they force customers to buy DP fertilizers with the Urea. No solution is in sight. This “repetitive pattern” shows Government's lack of preparedness year after year, he said. He demanded of government to ensure availability of good quality fertilizers in the market at fixed rates to save the farmers from blackmailing at the hands of traders.