Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 22: The authorities today seized 8 metric tons of misbranded fertilizer, including vermicompost and organic manure, in south Kashmir’s Shopian.
The action targeted areas including Batapora, Sofanaman, and Keller.
Officials said the operation was carried out based on specific inputs from Farooq Ahmad, the Chief Agriculture Officer, in coordination with the Enforcement Wing of the Agriculture Department and Naib Tehsildar Shopian, Sajad Ahmad.
Following the confiscation, the concerned shop owners were served show-cause notices by the Law Enforcement Inspector, Shopian, and the premises were sealed in the presence of the Naib Tehsildar.
Officials said strict action would be taken against individuals engaged in the sale of misbranded or substandard agricultural inputs, which pose a threat to farmers and crop yields.
“The investigation into the matter is currently underway and shall be prosecuted in the court of law,” officials said.
According to officials, the seized stock was being sold without proper authorization, violating agricultural regulations.
As per the directives of the Deputy Commissioner Shopian, block-wise teams comprising officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Revenue Departments, led by authorized personnel, are actively monitoring the sale of agricultural inputs across the district.
During the enforcement action, the Chief Agriculture Officer advised farmers to request testing reports and permissions from licensed holders before purchasing agricultural inputs.
Farmers have also been urged to report any suspicious products or activities in the market to the Law Enforcement Inspector Wing at phone number 9596182640 for prompt action.
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