Action taken against agricultural centers

Central Chronicle News
Bilaspur, Aug 17: On the directives of the District Collector, a joint action against the fertilizer establishments, of the district was taken by the Agriculture Department, to inspect irregularities in sale and procurement of chemical fertilizers, during the ongoing Kharif season. According to Deputy Director of Agriculture Department, Shri Shashank Shinde, a team comprising of Assistant Director In-charge of the District, Anil Kaushik, and Fertilizer Inspectors KN Sahu and R.S. Gautam, inspected M/s Hariom Krishi Kendra, M/s Krishna Krishi Kendra and M/s Arya Krishi Kendra in Bilha village Lakhram block of Beltara region. On inspection, it was found that the sales rate board was not displayed by M/s Hariom Krishi Kendra and M/s Krishna Krishi Kendra. In addition, irregularities were also found in the maintenance of registers, Violations of Section 35(1) A and 35(B) of Fertilizer Control Order 1985.Apart from this, variation was found in the input of fertilizer in pause machine and in the physical form of fertilizer on sale, and proper storage and maintenance of fertilizers were found to be below the standard mark.
A Show cause notice has been issued against the above said firms, and a ban of 21 days has been imposed, to fall in line to kill loopholes in fertilizer sale in the district during the Kharif season. It has been apprised by the Deputy Director that for the benefit of farmers in the district, quality and availability of fertilizers should be ensured at reasonable rates, for this, continuous inspection of cooperatives and private fertilizer vendors of the district is being done. If irregularities are found, action is being taken against the fertilizer vendors under the relevant sections of the Fertilizer Control Order 1985 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.