Five flying squads constituted to check hoarding of fertilisers

The Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has constituted five flying squads to ensure seamless and equitable availability of DAP and other fertilisers, quality seeds and pesticides for the rabi season.

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said these teams would conduct raids to check illegal hoarding and black marketing of fertilisers, besides tagging of unnecessary chemicals with fertilisers. These teams would also monitor supplies, maintain standards and ensure quality control through regular checking and sampling, he added.

He said the flying squads would visit retail and wholesale dealers, as well as manufacturing and marketing units of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides to monitor the rates at which these products were sold to farmers.

Sharing details about the quality control drive undertaken from April 1 to October 31, he said the department collected 2,063 samples of pesticides, resulting in the cancellation of 43 licences over “misbranding”.

Additionally, 1,751 samples of chemical fertilisers, 100 of biofertilisers and 40 samples of organic manures were also taken. In case of misbranded samples, licences of 48 firms were cancelled and three FIRs registered, he added.

Each of the team has been assigned four-five districts to closely monitor the sale and supply of seeds, pesticides and fertilisers to protect farmers’ interests. They will also monitor the demand and supply of these agricultural inputs for farmers. He said no one would be allowed to exploit farmers. Strict legal action would be taken against those found indulging in illegal practices, he added.