Bhopal, Dec 25 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today met Union Chemical and Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilas Paswan at his residence in New Delhi and briefed him about the problem of urea scarcity in the state.

Mr Chouhan sought additional quantity of urea -- two lakh metric tonne of urea in the first two weeks of January 2007 -- from the Centre to meet the scarcity.

He urged to provide one lakh metric tonne in the first week and another one lakh metric tonne by January 15, 2007, an official release said here today.

He said at least 2.50 lakh metric tonne urea was required in December 2006.

Mr Paswan assured that the Centre would provide required quantity of urea timely to the state.

The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for his timely intervention in the urea scarcity.

Mr Chouhan pointed out total urea demand between October and December was 7.78 lakh metric tonne but the availability was 5.52 lakh metric tonne.

Hence, a shortage of 2.26 lakh metric tonne had to be fulfilled.

He said urea shortage would lead to an adverse effect on Rabi crops especially wheat. Besides, law and order would be affected, the release added.

UNI PS 2042