Meena’s surprise inspection at VKI on fake agri inputs

Jaipur: In a major crackdown on the manufacture and sale of suspected fake agricultural inputs, agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena Saturday conducted surprise inspections at several fertiliser and agri-product units in Jaipur’s Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI).During the inspections, officials found alleged illegal manufacturing and storage of biostimulants, biofertilisers and potash products at three locations. “The most serious violation was detected at Nandi Fertilisers, where a unit earlier sealed by the agriculture department was reopened for inspection in the minister’s presence.

Officials found that Muriate of Potash was allegedly being manufactured using salt waste,” he said.Calling it a “serious fraud on farmers”, Meena said such products can damage crop productivity, reduce soil fertility and adversely affect food quality.The inspection team also raided a C&F warehouse, Samriddhi Services on Road No. 7, where biostimulants were allegedly being supplied without permission.

Another company, Chittari Agri Care, was found storing biostimulants and other agricultural products without the required approvals.At another fertiliser warehouse, officials detected liquid and fermented organic fertilisers that were not included in the firm’s licence.

Authorities are also probing whether a central subsidy of ₹1,500 per tonne was claimed irregularly on these products. “I have asked the officials to halt sales, collect samples for testing and register FIRs against firms found guilty after investigation.

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