Agriculture Minister Warns Fertiliser Dealers

VISAKHAPATNAM: Agriculture minister Kinjaraapu Atchannaidu warned fertiliser dealers on Saturday against creating an artificial shortage or selling urea and DAP above prescribed rates, saying strict action would be taken against violators.

At a review meeting with irrigation and agriculture department officials at his camp office in Nimmada in Srikakulam district, Atchannaidu directed officials to identify fertiliser stocks available with private dealers and ensure they reached farmers without delay.

“There will be no tolerance for creating a fertiliser shortage. If dealers sell fertilisers at higher prices, their licences will be cancelled,” Atchannaidu said. He directed officials to take stringent action against dealers found selling urea and DAP at inflated prices.

The minister expressed displeasure over the slow progress in resolving long-pending issues related to irrigation shutters. He questioned officials over the delay in taking up shutter works despite some issues remaining unresolved for nearly three decades.

Ensuring irrigation water to farmers should be the government’s primary objective, he said, directing officials to remove all obstacles to the smooth flow of water. He also instructed authorities to register police cases against those deliberately obstructing water flow and causing hardship to other farmers.

Atchannaidu directed agriculture department officials to regularly visit villages and monitor farmers’ problems instead of confining themselves to offices.

He also directed officials to ensure 100 per cent crop insurance payments to all eligible farmers without delay.