PUNJAB CRACKS DOWN ON SUBSTANDARD AGRICULTURAL INPUTS: EXPIRED FERTILISERS SEIZED IN FAZILKA, COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST UNLICENSED SEED DEALER IN MALERKOTLA
•Samples sent to laboratory for testing and strict action to be taken under Fertiliser Control Order 1985, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian
• Notice issued to Panjawa Model Cooperative Society’s Secretary, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fazilka and concerned fertiliser companies
Chandigarh, March 13 (WISHAVWARTA):- In a major crackdown on uncertified and substandard agricultural inputs, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has seized 111 bags of expired fertilisers during a raid in Fazilka district and filed a complaint against an unlicensed seed dealer in Malerkotla for violating the Seed (Control) Order 1983 and the Seed Rules 1968.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that a team led by the Chief Agriculture Officer, Fazilka, seized 111 bags of expired fertilisers at the Panjawa Model Cooperative Agriculture Service Society Limited. The team discovered the expired fertilisers during a raid as part of a routine inspection of the society’s godown, he added.
He said that the team has sealed 25 bags of Hindustan Bec. Tech India Pvt. Ltd. (Potash Mobilising Bacteria), 45 bags of Malwa Industrial & Marketing Fertilisers & Chemicals Cooperative Society Ltd. (MIFCO) (Potash 14.5), 31 bags of HINDUSTAN Bec. Tech India Pvt. Ltd. (CorgoGypsum), and 10 bags of Malwa Industrial & Marketing Fertilisers & Chemicals Cooperative Society Ltd (MIFCO) (Mycorrhiza).
Additionally, the team also found gypsum fertiliser stored alongside urea fertiliser in the society’s second godown. The team took possession of the stock registers and collected a sample of urea fertiliser for testing at the fertiliser testing laboratory, said the Agriculture Minister, while adding that based on test reports, appropriate action will be taken under the Fertiliser Control Order 1985.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Panjawa Model Cooperative Agriculture Service Society Limited, the sale of fertilisers available under the Fertiliser Control Order 1985 has been stopped and the registers have been taken into possession by the department. Apart from this, notices have also been issued to the Society’s Secretary Om Prakash, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fazilka and the concerned fertiliser companies.
Divulging details about FIR against unlicensed seed dealer, the Agriculture Minister said that another team under the supervision of the Chief Agriculture Officer, Sangrur raided M/s Sankalp Retail Store in the Grain Market, Malerkotla, based on a complaint filed by Sangrur-based farmers. In their complaint, the farmers mentioned that they had purchased 21 bags of maize seed (Pioneer 1899) at Rs 3300 per bag, but the dealer refused to provide a bill.
He said that during the checking by the teams, it was found that the firm’s seed license (No. MKT/SEED/189) had also expired on April 22, 2024, and they were selling seeds without renewing the license or providing bills, violating clauses 3 and 9 of the Seed (Control) Order 1983. The dealer has also violated clauses 18 (1) and 18 (2) of the Seed Control Order 1983 and clause 38 of the Seed Rules 1968, he added.
S. Khudian said that in view of these violations, a complaint has been filed against the firm under the Seed (Control) Order 1983 and the Seed Rules 1968, which are punishable under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. A complaint has been registered against the owner and representatives of the firm at Police Station City-1, Malerkotla.
Highlighting the actions taken under the quality control drive, the Agriculture Minister said that a total of 87 licenses of fertiliser dealers/companies were cancelled and 08 FIR’s were also lodged against the fertiliser dealers/companies during 2024-25. Similarly, a total of 116 licenses of pesticides dealers/companies were cancelled and 05 FIR’s were also lodged against the pesticides dealers & companies during 2024-25.
