Department of Fertilizers takes multi-pronged measures to stop the diversion and Black Marketing of Fertilizers in the country
ATM News Network: Multipronged measures are being taken by the Department of Fertilizers, Government of India for deterrence against any malpractices and to ensure quality fertilizers for the farmers, under the directions of Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. These measures have resulted in averting the diversion and black marketing of fertilizers in the country.
Special teams of dedicated officers called Fertilizer Flying Squads (FFS) have been formed to keep a strict vigil and to check diversion, black marketing, hoarding, and supply of sub-standard quality of fertilizers across the country.
The Fertilizer Flying Squads have conducted over 370 surprise inspections across 15 states/UTs which included mixture units, Single Superphosphate (SSP) units and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) units. Consequentially, 30 FIRs have been registered for diversion of urea, and 70,000 bags have been seized of suspected urea (from Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Karnataka (excl. GSTN seizure). Of which 26199 bags have been disposed of as per FCO guidelines).
The FFS has also inspected three border districts of Bihar (Araria, Purnia, W.Champaran) and 3 FIRs have been filed against urea diverting units; 10 including 3 mixture manufacturing units in border districts have been deauthorized.
112 mixture manufacturers have been deauthorized due to several discrepancies and lapses found in documentation and procedures. Sample testing has also been ramped up with 268 samples tested as of now, of which 89 (33%) have been declared sub-standard and 120 (45%) found with neem oil content.
For the first time, 11 persons have been jailed under Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies (PBM) Act for diversion and black marketing of urea in the last one year. Several other legal and administrative proceedings have also been exercised by states through the Essential Commodities (EC) Act and Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).
Update yourself with the latest agri business news in English and Marathi with Agri Trade Media. Subscribe Agri Trade Media on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more agri B2B news.