Pulwama, March 10 : Agriculture Production and Famers Welfare Department Kashmir on Friday seized a huge quantity of subsidised fertilizer from an industrial unit at Industrial Growth Centre Lassipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.Officials informed Rising Kashmir that the subsidised fertilizer which is meant for distribution among farmers was diverted for industrial use.
Director Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department Kashmir, Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhary, told Rising Kashmir that he received specific inputs from his vigilance squad about the diversion of subsidised fertilizer for industrial purpose and without wasting any time he rushed to the spot along with a team from the Department’s enforcement wing.
“We seized around 400 bags of the subsidised fertilizer at the industrial unit,” he said, adding that he brought the issue into the notice of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhry.
“Tehsildar and SHO concerned reached the spot on instructions of DC Pulwama,” he said, adding that the custody of the seized fertilizer was been handed over to them.
Director said that action as warranted under law will be taken against the erring persons.
He further informed Rising Kashmir that for farmers government is providing fertilizer at a subsidised rate which is deduced at base.
He said that plywood unit holders use the subsidised fertilizer in manufacturing of plywood to save costs.
“Plywood manufacturers are provided fertilizers under provisions of industry norms at comparatively higher costs,” he said, adding that they will not allow diversion of subsidised fertilizers for industrial purposes and anyone found in this fraudulent practice will be dealt strictly.
Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama Mohammad Iqbal Khan said that further investigations will reveal people involved in this malpractice.
