But the government's plan to improve DAP consumption in this manner may not yield the desired results. In fact, the price control is likely to lead to a situation of short supply and a rise in black marketing. This is because in the absence of a concrete subsidy policy on the nutrient, DAP manufacturers will cut production and importers will cancel their import contracts. The kharif season has already witnessed such a situation. Most DAP manufacturers and importers are facing negative contributions owing to a rise in import costs and they had decided to curtail their supplies to the market rather than sell at a loss. The only way out of the situation is to increase the quantum of price support to DAP suppliers to compensate them fully for the rise in costs. But considering that the governemnt's subsidy bill has burgeoned from the budgeted Rs 9,983 crore to Rs 12,583 crore, it will be a tough decision to make.