Ensure fertiliser availability, crack down on hoarding: CS to Officials
LUCKNOW, July 14 -- Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Sunday conducted a video conference with all divisional commissioners and district magistrates, directing them to ensure smooth availability of fertilisers across the state and prevent any form of hoarding or black marketing.
The fresh directives follow field reports of fertiliser shortage causing inconvenience to farmers in most districts amid ongoing paddy plantation. A similar situation prevailed last year.
Singh in the meeting claimed that both urea and DAP were available in adequate quantities in the state and directed that, for the next 15 days, all commissioners and district magistrates must hold daily review meetings at 10 am with officials from agriculture, cooperation and other related departments to ensure timely availability of fertilisers at all sale points.
"There should not be a single centre lacking stock. As soon as the fertiliser stock at any centre drops to 80-90%, immediate replenishment must be ensured," he said. He also instructed that every farmer must mandatorily be given a receipt for their purchase, and that sales must happen in a transparent manner.
The CS warned that under no circumstance should fertilisers be sold above the prescribed retail price, whether at cooperative centres or private outlets. "Any such complaints must be dealt with sternly, and the officers responsible will face strict action," he said. Tagging of fertilisers with unrelated products at private shops was also strictly prohibited.
Additionally, Singh also instructed that effective steps be taken to ensure care and protection of saplings planted across the state on July 9....
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