In a decisive move against the sale of uncertified and substandard agricultural inputs, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has intensified its crackdown across the state. As part of this drive, authorities seized 111 bags of expired fertilizers in Fazilka and filed a complaint against an unlicensed seed dealer in Malerkotla for violating essential regulations governing the sale of agricultural inputs.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, while disclosing these developments, on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting farmers from unscrupulous traders selling low-quality and expired products. “Strict action will be taken against all offenders under the Fertiliser Control Order 1985 and the Seed (Control) Order 1983. No one will be allowed to play with the livelihood of Punjab’s farmers,” he asserted.
A team led by Fazilka Chief Agriculture Officer raided the Panjawa Model Cooperative Agriculture Service Society Limited and uncovered a significant stock of expired fertilizers stored in its godown. The 111 bags of expired fertilizers, which had been illegally retained past their shelf life, were immediately sealed.
The seized stock included 25 bags of Hindustan Bec. Tech India Pvt. Ltd. (Potash Mobilising Bacteria); 45 bags of Malwa Industrial & Marketing Fertilisers & Chemicals Cooperative Society Ltd. (MIFCO) (Potash 14.5); 31 bags of Hindustan Bec. Tech India Pvt. Ltd. (CorgoGypsum); and 10 bags of Malwa Industrial & Marketing Fertilisers & Chemicals Cooperative Society Ltd. (MIFCO) (Mycorrhiza).
Further investigations revealed that gypsum fertiliser was being stored alongside urea fertiliser, violating standard storage norms. The inspection team seized the society’s stock registers and collected urea fertiliser samples for laboratory testing. “Based on the test reports, we will initiate further action under the Fertiliser Control Order 1985,” said Khudian.
Following the raid, the sale of fertilisers by the Panjawa Model Cooperative Agriculture Service Society Limited was halted, and its registers were taken into custody. Notices have been issued to Society’s secretary Om Prakash; Fazilka Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, and the concerned fertiliser companies.
The crackdown extended to Malerkotla, where an unlicensed seed dealer was found selling seeds without valid documentation. Acting on a complaint by local farmers, a team under the Chief Agriculture Officer, Sangrur, raided M/s Sankalp Retail Store in the Grain Market, Malerkotla.
Farmers alleged that they had purchased 21 bags of maize seed (Pioneer 1899) at Rs 3,300 per bag, but the dealer refused to provide a bill. Upon verification, it was discovered that the firm’s seed license had expired on April 22, 2024. Despite the expiry, the dealer continued selling seeds without renewing the license or issuing proper bills — a direct violation of clauses 3 and 9 of the Seed (Control) Order 1983.
Khudian added that the dealer also violated clauses 18(1) and 18(2) of the Seed Control Order 1983 and clause 38 of the Seed Rules 1968. Consequently, a complaint has been filed under the Essential Commodities Act 1955, and an FIR has been registered at Police Station City-1, Malerkotla, against the firm’s owner and representatives.
Providing details of the broader quality control drive, Khudian highlighted that in 2024-25 alone, 87 licenses of fertilizer dealers and companies were cancelled; eight FIRs were lodged against fertilizer dealers and companies; 116 licenses of pesticide dealers and companies were revoked; five FIRs were registered against pesticide traders.
“Punjab Government is committed to safeguarding farmers’ interests by ensuring the availability of only certified, high-quality agricultural inputs in the market. Any individual or company found violating the regulations will face strict legal consequences,” Khudian warned.
