Jawali farmers allege fertiliser sold at higher price, seek probe

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, JANUARY 16

Farmers of the Katholi gram panchayat in Nagrota Surian development block of Jawali have alleged that urea fertiliser was being sold at exorbitant price in the area. The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of a 45-kg fertiliser bag is Rs 266.5 but the same was available to them at cooperative society outlets for Rs 300. They lamented that no authority had any check on the alleged fleecing of the poor farmers.

Local farmers Attar Singh, Pawan Dhiman and Parkash Chand lamented that they had purchased one bag each for Rs 300 but had received messages on their phones stating that they had bought three bags each at Rs 798. They have appealed to the Agriculture and Cooperative Minister, Suresh Bhardwaj, to order an inquiry into the ongoing fleecing of poor farmers in the area.

Lakhwinder Singh, secretary of the cooperative society store at Katholi, said earlier, HIMFED delivered fertiliser bags at the store without taking any transport charges but this year, the stores were paying freight and loading and unloading charges, which had enhanced the retail price. The issue had already been brought to the notice of the Agriculture Department authorities, he added.

Neeraj Bharti, Weight and Measurement Inspector, Dehra, said no product or farm input could be sold above the MRP and if urea was being sold at a higher price, it was a clear case of overpricing. Action would be taken against the offenders after conducting an inquiry, he added.

Other charges up

Earlier, HIMFED delivered fertiliser bags without taking any transport charges but this year, the stores are paying freight and other charges, which have enhanced the retail price. — Lakhwinder Singh, secretary of cooperative society store, Katholi

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