Strict action against retailers selling fertilizers without proper procedure: Dir Agri

Srinagar, Dec 02: The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal Friday convened a meeting of law enforcement officers of all the districts of Kashmir division to review the overall working of the law enforcement agency.
Addressing the meeting, the Director said that the prime objective of the law enforcement wing of the department is to ensure the availability of quality insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers to the farmers through proper sales outlets well in time. In this direction every effort must be put in place so that the farmer’s interest could be secured, he further added.
Director impressed upon the officers of the law enforcement agency to remain in close coordination at divisional and district levels to maintain transparency and accountability in the system in addition to smooth distribution of quality pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs to the growers and farmers.
He asked the officers to submit weekly reports on demand, distribution, seizures and other activities. Besides, he also impressed them to strictly follow and implement different provisions of insecticides act 1968 and fertilizer control order 1985.
Iqbal asked the officers to initiate strict action according to law against the retailers if found selling fertilizers, pesticides without following the proper procedure. He said any substandard/spurious material if found should be immediately seized and the warranted action as per law against the erring parties should be initiated.
He further said that any dealer or retailer if found guilty of violating different provisions of insecticides act 1968 and fertilizer control order 1985 his license should be cancelled with immediate effect.
Director exhorted upon the enforcement officer to carry out special inspection drives across Kashmir to ensure regulation of standard and genuine supplies of insecticides, fertilizers to the farming community.
Deputy Director Law enforcement, Enforcement officers of Kashmir division and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.