5 days ago
Meghalaya Intensifies Fertiliser Checks Amid Shift Toward Organic Farming
Meghalaya is checking fertiliser shops more carefully.
Officials have carried out 1,432 surprise inspections.
They want to stop shops from charging farmers too much or selling fertiliser illegally.
The state has assigned 129 inspectors to monitor retailers.
Shops must show official prices and record every sale online.
A subsidised bag of SSP costs Rs 800, while urea costs Rs 266.
Farmers can complain about overcharging through the CM Connect system.
The government also wants to reduce chemical fertiliser use and expand organic farming.
Meghalaya conducted 1,432 surprise inspections of fertiliser retailers, the chief minister said.
The state deployed 129 inspectors and requires retailers to display prices and record sales.
Subsidised SSP costs Rs 800 per bag, while urea costs Rs 266 per bag.
Retailers accused of black marketing or overcharging could lose their licences.
The government says tighter monitoring will protect farmers and support Meghalaya’s shift toward organic agriculture.
- Who
- Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira, inspectors, fertiliser retailers and farmers.
- What
- The state intensified fertiliser sales inspections and warned that violators could lose their licences.
- Where
- Meghalaya, including the Garo Hills and other notified areas.
- When
- The announcement was made in the Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday; the number of inspections covers the government’s enforcement drive described in the report.
- Why
- To prevent black marketing and overcharging, protect farmers, monitor fertiliser movement and support a transition toward organic agriculture.
Key facts
- Surprise inspections
- 1,432 inspections have been conducted.
- Monitoring staff
- 129 inspectors have been deployed to monitor retailers.
- SSP subsidised price
- Rs 800 per bag.
- Urea price
- Rs 266 per bag.
- SSP market price
- Around Rs 1,200 per bag, according to the chief minister.
- Retailer requirements
- Retailers must display notified prices and upload every sale to the Integrated Fertiliser Management System.
- Possible penalty
- Dealers found selling illegally or at inflated rates may have their licences cancelled.
Quotes
Conrad K. Sangma
Chief Minister of Meghalaya
“We are in a transition mode”
thehansindia.com
Timothy D. Shira
Agriculture Minister of Meghalaya
“This makes every sale traceable”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Meghalaya Targets India’s Largest Organic Farming Coverage, CM Says
Gujarat appoints teams to curb fertiliser black marketing
Andhra Pradesh assures transparent fertiliser distribution via APAIMS app
Agriculture Minister Warns Fertiliser Dealers Over Prices
Bengal Government to Meet Small Growers Over Fertiliser Limits
