Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, has ordered a zero-tolerance campaign against black marketing, hoarding and the sale of substandard fertilizer. Officials say the aim is simple — keep chemical fertilizers available at authorised shops and at controlled prices so cultivators are not forced into the grey market.
The numbers released on Tuesday show how far the drive has already gone this financial year. Enforcement teams have raided 11,684 fertilizer shops across the state. Show-cause notices have gone to 2,774 persons. Sales by 321 dealers have been temporarily stopped. Licences of 170 dealers have been suspended and 96 licences cancelled. Stocks of 12 erring dealers have been seized, and criminal cases registered against seven.