Licence of 23 fertiliser dealers suspended over irregularities
Licence of 23 fertiliser dealers have been suspended in the current paddy season across the district over hoarding and other irregularities.
Besides, notice has also been issued to four dealers for not maintaining stock registers and not displaying price lists. The authorities have issued a warning to all fertiliser dealers to maintain accurate records of sales, stock and display the price, failing which action would be taken.
Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), said that in the current season, the district requires 95,000 MT urea and 20,000 MT DAP. So far, the initial requirement of DAP has been fulfilled. Out of the total demand of urea, 85,000 MT of urea has already been distributed to farmers so far.
“Sub-divisional level teams led by the SDM concerned have been constituted by Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh to monitor the demand, availability, supply as well as hoarding, black marketing, tagging and diversion,” said the DDA.
During peak season, HAFED has been assigned the task to sell 40 per cent of the total allocated urea, DAP and other phosphatic fertilisers through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PAC), other government agencies like IFFCO, KRIBHCO to farmers on subsidised rates, Singh maintained.
He made it clear that if any seller is found engaging in black marketing, hoarding or mixing other products with fertilisers for sale, they would face action as per law.
Singh said that as per the directives from the Directorate of Agriculture Haryana, verification is being conducted by departmental officials and staff for farmers who have purchased urea bags under the 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 bags categories. If any irregularities are found during the verification process, appropriate action would be taken against those involved.
“Urea cannot be used for other purposes. To verify genuine sale and purchase, verification is being done,” he added.
Dr Wazir Singh during the current kharif season, crops are being sown on nearly 5.3 lakh acres across the district. Out of that, 4.45 lakh acres are under paddy cultivation, 42,000 acres under sugarcane and 38,000 acres are for other crops.
He said that fertilisers are available in sufficient quantities in the district. Whenever a new consignment arrives, it is distributed in the presence of Agriculture Department officials to ensure transparency.
Contact numbers of relevant officers from all departments concerned have been displayed at every fertiliser dealer’s shop. “In case of any issue related to fertiliser supply or quality, farmers are encouraged to contact these numbers or reach out to their respective Block Agriculture Officer’s office for resolution,” he maintained.
Haryana Tribune