On the directions of Director Agriculture Jammu, Anil Gupta, the Enforcement Wing of the Agriculture Department today launched a special enforcement drive to curb overcharging of fertilizers in Jammu district.
The drive was initiated after Member Legislative Assembly Bishnah, Dr. Rajeev Bhagat, held a meeting with Assistant Director Law Enforcement (ALDE) Kuldeep Singh and apprised him of farmers’ complaints regarding sale of fertilizers above government-prescribed rates in Bishnah, RS Pura and adjoining areas.
The complaints pertained to overcharging by certain agri-input dealers, adversely affecting farmers and constituting violations of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985. Acting promptly, ALDE, Kuldeep Singh, along with the Law Enforcement Inspector, Nazeesh Altaf, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), RS Pura, Arun Jaral, Agriculture Extension Officers, JAEOs and AEAs, conducted extensive inspections of agri-input outlets across multiple locations.
During the inspections, some dealers were found selling fertilizers above the approved rates. Immediate on-the-spot action under the provisions of FCO, 1985 was initiated and show-cause notices were issued to the erring dealers. A consolidated report has been submitted to the Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu for further action as per law.
The dealers strictly adhering to government-prescribed rates were appreciated for their responsible conduct. The enforcement team, in coordination with the President and members of Kisan Morcha, also visited several locations in RS Pura and Bishnah areas to ensure compliance on the ground.
In addition, the Director Agriculture Jammu directed all Agriculture Officers and field functionaries at the Panchayat level to ensure regular presence at agri-input outlets to prevent overcharging and to ensure that farmers’ grievances are addressed promptly and effectively. He further stated that such surprise inspections will continue in the future.
Besides Jammu district, Agriculture Officers in several other districts, in coordination with the District Enforcement Wings, also carried out surprise inspections at agri-input outlets and addressed farmers’ grievances on the spot.