New Delhi, 13 July (IANS). Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories asking the farmers to take immediate and strict action against those selling fake and substandard fertilizers.
The statement issued by the government said that the letter has been issued to curb illegal activities like sales of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidized fertilizers and forced tagging across the country.
The letter written by the Union Minister has emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and to ensure stability in farmers’ income, it is necessary to provide them at the right time, affordable prices and standard quality quality fertilizer.
He further stated that the sale of fake or substandard fertilizers is prohibited under fertilizer (control) order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan further said in the letter that wherever needed, it is the responsibility of the states to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at the right places. States should keep a strict monitoring of activities such as black marketing, high pricing and misuse of subsidized fertilizers and take prompt action against them.
The Union Minister has asked regular monitoring of fertilizer production and sales as well as strict monitoring on fake and substandard products through sampling and testing.
The Union Minister further stated that forcibly tagging of nano-fertilizers or biodiversity products with traditional fertilizers should be stopped immediately.
In the letter, the Union Minister has also recommended that strict legal action should be taken, including cancellation of license against the culprits and filing FIRs and effective prosecution should be ensured to ensure conviction.
In addition, states have been instructed to make special efforts to develop feedback and information systems to involve farmers in the monitoring process and educate farmers about real-fake products.
-IANS
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