Seized fertilisers sold at official rates

Warehouses sealed, cases registered in crackdown against hoarding

LODHRAN:

The district administration continued a crackdown on hoarders, sealing dozens of premises where urea and DAP fertilisers were found stored and lodging cases against their owners.

Deputy Commissioner Shoaib Ali and other officials took steps to implement the provincial government’s directives to ensure availability of fertilisers.

Sales points were set up at various places to ensure availability of fertilisers.

Checking was conducted at 800 points in the district, while 32 cases were registered, 30 persons were arrested and fine of more than Rs1.551 million was imposed against hoarders.

Warehouses and other premises used for storage were sealed at 32 locations.

The officials seized 6,000 bags of DAP and 16,500 of urea fertiliser that were later sold at the rates fixed by the Punjab government.

The deputy commissioner said those who sell expensive and counterfeit pesticides will also be severely dealt with.

The official said cash memos of the traders were being checked. He said the people should also help the teams taking action against hoarders by sharing information against them through a helpline.

Read More: Farmers perturbed over sharp rise in fertiliser prices

Meanwhile, a large number of farmers bought fertilisers at a sale point set up at Ghousia Chowk.

Traders also came to the fore and were seen selling fertiliser at government rates and sharing photographs of the act online.

Commenting on the situation, a farmer said teams should be formed to make urea fertiliser available to the growers in their areas at government rates.

Farmers said they had to wait in long queues for buying fertiliser at the sale point.

Another local farmer said hoarding could not have taken place without connivance of officials of the agriculture department.

He said strict action against hoarders would ensure relief for the farmers.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2021.