The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Huge stocks of DAP seized

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Huge stocks of DAP seized

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Huge stocks of unaccounted Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) were seized in a State-wide crackdown on fertilizer outlets and retail dealers in the past two days.

Hoarded stocks were unearthed in 12 unauthorised places, and 1,334 tonnes of DAP was frozen, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary of Agriculture Surjit K. Chaudhary told reporters here on Thursday.

He said officials seized 150 tonnes in Theni district, when the consignment was being transported to Kerala clandestinely. Sale licences had been suspended in eight cases, and sale ordered to be stopped in three cases. Show-cause notices had been issued for cancellation of licences in 112 cases.

The Collectors of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruchi, Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Erode districts raided 23 wholesale outlets and 578 retail outlets by forming special squads.

At a review meeting held earlier in the day, Mr. Chaudhary said 34,940 tonnes of DAP was found available with the wholesalers and retailers, which was more than the current month’s requirement of 30,000 tonnes.

At the request of fertilizer companies, the government allowed them to liquidate their stocks before July 4. He warned the dealers that from July 5, unsold stocks would be seized and severe action taken against them. The fertilizer companies had promised to cooperate with the government.

Vigilance cells

Mr. Chaudhary said the Collectors had been advised to constitute round-the-clock vigilance cells. The cells should be manned by officers of the Agriculture, Revenue and Police Departments. The Collectors of border districts were asked to maintain vigil to prevent unauthorised movement of fertilizer to neighbouring States. The government was monitoring the situation, he said.

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