Unauthorised sale of fertilizers banned in India

After stopping an attempt to smuggle 160 bags of subsidized urea meant for farmers in the district from Pollachi, the district agriculture department has constituted a special squad to trace the source of the fertilizer.

District administration officials sealed a godown after finding hoarded fertilizer stock on Thursday. Agriculture officials launched

a search to trace the course of the stock. Inquiry revealed that it was bought from Somanur. “But when we visited Somanur,

there were no documents to show it was from there. We have constituted a special squad to trace the source,” an official said.

After the violation came to light, the agriculture department reiterated that subsidised fertilizers meant for farming purpose

should not be transported to other districts or states. “Apart from direct farming, government-recognised compound fertilizer making units can use them as raw material. Using them for any other purpose is a crime under Fertiliser Control Order, 1985,”said a communication from agriculture joint director Tom P Silas.

The district has been allotted 4,470 metric tonnes of urea, 4,260 metric tonnes of diammonium phosphate, 5,610 metric tonnes

of potash and 7,700 metric tonnes of complex fertlizer for the rabi season. “All sellers should sell fertilizers only to farmers who

have Aadhaar card. They should not be repackaged for sales,” said the official.