•Seized material contained only 2.80% nitrogen, 16.23% phosphorus available far below the required 18%, 46%, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian
•CM Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Govt committed for safeguarding the interests of the state farmers
Chandigarh, November 27:
Days after the seizure of 23 bags (each weighing 50 kg) of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser from SBS Nagar district, the laboratory examination confirmed the seized stock has inadequate amount of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, said Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian here on Tuesday.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that DAP typically contains 18 per cent nitrogen, 46 per cent phosphorus and water soluble phosphorus 39.5%. However, laboratory tests revealed that the seized material contained only 2.80 per cent nitrogen, 16.23 per cent phosphorus and 14.10% water soluble phosphorus respectively, he added.
As per the information, farmers had complained about high prices of DAP, following which, a team from the Agriculture department, along with the police, conducted a raid at the house of Harkirat Singh, the owner of M/s Singh Traders in Urapar village, SBS Nagar district. During the raid, they found 23 bags of DAP being stored illegally.
An FIR was filed against Harkirat Singh under sections 3(2)C, D Essential Commodity Act 1955 and sections 5, 7, & 3(3) of the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 at Police Station Aur (SBS Nagar) on November 14. The Agriculture department sent samples of the seized DAP to the Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratory in Ludhiana, which reported that the seized stock was Nonstandard.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian also reiterated the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for safeguarding the interests of the state farmers, while warning that anyone found indulged in this malpractice will not be spared at all. The Agriculture Minister also asked the department officials to continue the special fertiliser and seeds checking drive across the state.
