Karnataka - Hassan   

1.87 lakh bags of fertilizer discovered in KRRS raid

HASSAN: At a time when there is a huge demand for fertilizers by potato growers in the district, dealers hoard them creating an artificial scarcity. They then sell them at double the price, said Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president Kodihalli Chandrashekar here on Sunday.

When activists of the sangha came to know that a huge quantity of fertilizers had been stocked in a private godown in the Industrial area of Hassan, they raided the premises and found 1.87 lakh bags of 20:20 fertilizer of the FACT brand stored. Each bag contained 50 kg and cost Rs. 430 after subsidy.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Chandrashekar said they had locked the godown and would open it on Monday to distribute the fertilizers to farmers at prices stipulated by the government.

He said that four months ago, he found that fertilizers meant for Hassan were kept in Hospet, Bellary district. The bags were opened, adulterated, refilled and sold to farmers. “When I brought this to the notice of Joint Director of Agriculture Mahesh Gowda, the latter requested me not to blow up the issue as he was retiring soon, but, however, promised to solve the problem,” Mr. Chandrashekar alleged. He said that despite this assurance, the mischief continued. Farmers staged a “rasta roko” in Hassan on Saturday in protest against the non-availability of fertilizers. Although the matter was raised at a press conference by the Chief Minister in Hassan on Saturday, Mr. Mahesh Gowda, who was present, did not inform the former that there was stock of fertilizer.

Mr. Chandrashekar alleged that officers of the Agriculture Department had colluded with dealers to create an artificial scarcity of fertilizers. He said 1.87 lakh bags of 20:20 fertilizer were required to grow potatoes in the district.

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