Seed, fertiliser firms in Hisar issued show-cause notices

The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has issued show-cause notices to some seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies after the Chief Minister (CM) Flying Squad detected irregularities in their operations during surprise inspections. The squad inspected warehouses of various seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies in the district on Monday.

CM Flying Squad Hisar Range in-charge Sunaina led the team, while Quality Control Inspector of the Agriculture Department Dr Priyanka was also part of the team.

Sunaina said she had received complaints regarding irregularities on part of some pesticide and fertiliser companies in the district. Based on the complaints, a surprise inspection was carried out at Shanti Fertiliser and Chemical, Hisar. During the inspection, which was conducted in the presence of Chemicals & Fertilisers’ owner Nitish Tayal, it was found that the premises had several warehouses that had been rented out to different companies. Eleven pesticide and fertiliser companies and six seed companies were found storing and selling their products at the site. The team conducted random checks at these companies.

The stock kept in the warehouse of Sumitomo company was matched with the register, but it did not tally. On finding irregularities, a show-cause notice was issued by the Agriculture Department to the firm.

During the inspection of a warehouse of Life Science Corporation, discrepancies were found in the stock and the register and a show-cause notice was issued in this case as well.

The team also conducted an inspection at Khurana Agro Agencies in the presence of Chemicals & Fertilisers’ operator Sachin Khurana. During the inspection, seven fertiliser and pesticide companies and four seed companies were found operating there. The stock at the warehouse of Sumitomo Chemical India Limited was checked, but it did not match with stock register. Likewise, inspections were conducted at the warehouses of Sayaji Seeds company and CCBA Crop Science company, where the stock registers did not match the stock available in the warehouses. Agriculture Department’s Quality Control Inspector Dr Priyanka issued show-cause notices to all three for irregularities. In addition, three samples of pesticide from one company were taken for testing and will be sent to the laboratory.

The CM Flying Squad in-charge said the government had issued strict instructions that all seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies must fully comply with the rules prescribed by the Agriculture Department.