The government has arranged to import two lakh metric tons of fertiliser to meet the possible deficit, parliament was told yesterday, reports UNB.

Replying to a question of Maulana Delwar Hossain Saidee (Jamaat-Pirojpur), Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed said some 4.72 lakh metric tons of urea are required for the current fiscal year.

He said 15.71 lakh metric tons Of urea are likely to be produced in six urea factories run .by the state-owned Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) during the year (1998-99). Some 8.69 lakh metric tons of urea have been produced till January 24. 1999.

Tofail fold the House that total availability, of fertiliser would stand at 22.43 lakh metric tons against the protected requirement of 21.35 lakh metric tons. Towards the end of the year. 1.08 lakh metric tons are likely to be in stock.