- Two agriculture centres were taken to task for irregularities in storage and distribution, and one establishment was sealed.
The Agriculture Department is conducting continuous inspections to ensure the availability of quality fertilizers to farmers and to prevent the black marketing and illegal storage of fertilizers. In this sequence, a team of fertilizer inspectors conducted a surprise inspection of private agricultural centers in Janjgir-Champa district, seizing a total of 2,638 bags of chemical fertilizers.
Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mr. Rakesh Sharma, stated that during the inspection, irregularities were discovered in the storage and distribution of chemical fertilizers at Messrs. Disha Sales, a wholesaler in Champa. Acting under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, a total of 2,306 bags of fertilizers, including 1,150 bags of NPK 16:20:00:13 (HURL), 428 bags of SSP (granular), 630 bags of SSP (powder), and 98 bags of zincated SSP, were seized and banned from sale.
Similarly, during a raid at Rajkumar Sahu Krishi Kendra in village Pisaud of development block Baloda, illegal storage of 98 bags of urea, 94 bags of zincated SSP, 70 bags of triple super phosphate and 70 bags of NPK 16:20:00:13 (HURL) was found. 332 bags of fertilizer were seized and the selling establishment was sealed.
The Agriculture Department has clarified that regular inspection of all cooperative and private fertilizer selling centers of the district will continue for the protection of farmers’ interests, smooth availability of fertilizers and effective control on black marketing. If any irregularity is found, strict action will be taken against the concerned persons.