By Amrit Pal Sidhu / Babushahi Bureau
Patiala, May 7: In a move to address the misuse of subsidized urea fertilizer, the district administration of Patiala has constituted a dedicated taskforce under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Agarwal.
The newly formed taskforce aims to prevent the unauthorized use and diversion of urea fertilizer, ensuring that it remains available for its intended agricultural purposes.
The taskforce comprises key district officials, including the District Chief Agriculture Officer, the District Revenue Officer, and the SP Headquarters. Together, they will work to monitor and regulate the supply, storage, and utilization of subsidized urea within the district.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Agarwal emphasized that the Government of India provides substantial subsidies on agricultural-grade urea to make it affordable for farmers. However, reports have surfaced indicating that some industries and manufacturing units are misusing this subsidized fertilizer for non-agricultural purposes, such as feed preparation, resin production, and operations in plywood factories.
This malpractice not only causes financial losses to the government but also disrupts the availability of urea for farmers who rely on it for their crops.
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Dara Singh highlighted that the taskforce would actively monitor activities related to urea fertilizer in the district. He urged citizens to report any instances of unauthorized use or diversion of urea fertilizer. Complaints or information can be directed to Agriculture Department officer Dr. Avaninder Singh Mann at mobile number 80547-04471.
Dr. Singh assured that strict action would be taken against violators under the provisions of the Fertilizer Control Act of 1985. The taskforce's efforts are expected to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure that government subsidies serve their intended purpose.
This initiative reflects the administration's commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in the distribution and use of essential agricultural inputs, thereby supporting the farming community and protecting public resources.