With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. At present, the…

With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. 2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas. 3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for Phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Solution

Urea price is government-administered (NBS for P&K nutrients gives fixed subsidy but urea MRP is statutory); statement 1 wrong. Ammonia is industrially produced from natural gas (Haber process) — 2 correct. Sulphur is a by-product of oil refining (hydrotreating yields H2S converted to elemental sulphur) — 3 correct. Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.

Asked in: UPSC Prelims 2020

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