LUCKNOW, July 14 -- Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Sunday conducted a video conference with all divisional commissioners and district magistrates, directing them to ensure smooth availability of fertilisers across the state and prevent any form of hoarding or black marketing.

The fresh directives follow field reports of fertiliser shortage causing inconvenience to farmers in most districts amid ongoing paddy plantation. A similar situation prevailed last year.

Singh in the meeting claimed that both urea and DAP were available in adequate quantities in the state and directed that, for the next 15 days, all commissioners and district magistrates must hold daily review meetings at 10 am with officials from agriculture, cooperation an...