The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Raids conducted on fertilizer shops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 16, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Raids conducted on fertilizer shops

Staff Reporter

VIRUDHUNAGAR: Sale in one of the shops at Watrap was suspended on Thursday after officials found that fertilizers were being sold at exorbitant rates, over and above the ones fixed by the Government.

In a statement, the Collector, V. Chandrasekaran, said that three teams comprising officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Revenue, led by the Sivakasi Revenue Divisional Officer, B. Ganesan, conducted the raids at many shops in Rajapalayam, Srivilliputtur and Watrap.

The raids come in the wake of complaints from farmers of hoarding fertilizers and selling them at higher prices.

The officials found that stocks were not kept at the retail points but at godowns. Farmers were denied fertilizers as if there was “no stock.” However, those who were willing to pay more got them. In some shops, the sales registers were not properly maintained and corrections of bills were found.

The Collector said that sufficient stock of fertilizers was available in the district and he had sought additional stocks from the Director of Agriculture.

The Deputy Director of Agriculture (Srivilliputur), Pari, took part in the inspection.

The Collector asked the farmers to lodge their complaints, if any, with the Joint Director of Agriculture over phone 04562 – 252705. The phone numbers of Deputy Directors are Srivilliputtur 04563 260240, Sattur 04562 260647, Virudhunagar -04562 252740 and Aruppukottai 04566 220247.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail