Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda has said that to tide over challenges arising due to COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry is taking all necessary steps to ensure adequate supply of medicines, fertilizers and disinfectant chemicals. 

 

In a tweet Gowda said he held discussions with secretaries and other senior officers of all the three departments of his ministry, Department of Fertilizers, Pharma and Chemical & Petrochemicals to frame out strategies to improve availability of fertilizer to farmers, medicines to general public and health services and chemicals as disinfectants to curb the outbreak of coronavirus.

 

Gowda also asked the officers to maintain close coordination within themselves and with other concerned ministries as well so that supply of essential items are done without any hindrance.

 

MoS Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya has said that fertilizer companies are already working with full capacity to supply adequate quantities of fertilizers to the farming community for the upcoming Kharif season. Pharma sector is also putting in all its effort to produce essential drugs in sufficient quantities including Hydroxychloroquine. 

 

India is one of the world's largest manufacturers of Hydroxychloroquine and apart from fulfilling domestic demand is also exporting surplus medicine to foreign countries. Production and supply of essential chemicals used as disinfectants are also satisfactory.