Fertiliser dealer’s licence suspended for overpricing

The Agriculture Department has suspended the licence of a fertiliser dealer for selling DAP at inflated rates, well above the government-fixed price. A show-cause notice has been issued to the dealer, Pramod Grover, demanding a reply within three days. If he fails to respond satisfactorily or provide the necessary records, the shop will be sealed.

The action follows a surprise raid conducted on Sunday by the Chief Minister’s flying squad at M/s Sohanlal-Vinod Kumar in New Grain Market, Sirsa, after receiving multiple complaints of black-marketing. The team, with the help of a decoy customer, caught the dealer selling DAP at Rs 3,200 for 10 bags, confirming overpricing. The raid, led by Duty Magistrate Paramjeet Singh and CM Flying Squad Hisar Sub-Inspector Jitender Singh, revealed that the shop had no proper record of the stock in the POS machine.

A case has been registered against Pramod Grover on the charges of selling fertiliser at higher-than-approved rates. SHO Sandeep Singh from the City Police Station said they had started an investigation and efforts were underway to arrest the accused.

Farmer leader Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh alleged that the shop had been reported earlier for the illegal practice, but no strict action was taken against it. He pointed out that due to a fertiliser shortage traders were exploiting farmers by selling DAP at Rs 1,850 instead of Rs 1,350, and urea at Rs 320–Rs 350 instead of Rs 260.

Dr Sukhdev Kamboj, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Sirsa, said after receiving reports of black-marketing, the CM’s flying squad conducted the raid. The dealer’s licence has been suspended for now and he has been asked to submit his reply by Wednesday. If he fails to provide the required records, the shop will be sealed.

Dr Kamboj added that on Tuesday, the Agriculture Department held a meeting with fertiliser dealers from Kalanwali, Dabwali, Rori and Sirsa. They were warned against black-marketing, hoarding and tampering with records.

He also appealed to farmers not to hoard DAP fertiliser and to only buy as much as they need. While he admitted that DAP supply is currently low, the Deputy Director assured that the fertiliser is being made available to farmers in the area. Starting Wednesday, DAP will be distributed under the supervision of agriculture department officials to ensure fair practices.

Haryana Tribune