PESHAWAR
Expressing concern over the hoarding of fertilizer, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash asked the quarters concerned to take strict action against such exploiters and those engaged in black marketing of the commodity.
Chairing a high level meeting on Thursday to discuss the issues related to the supply of Urea fertilizer, the forum discussed in detail the availability, transportation, storage, of the fertilizers in the province.
The forum also deliberated over the steps so far taken to prevent the profiteering and smuggling of fertilizers in KP
The meeting was attended by secretary agriculture Israr Khan, senior officials of Home, Industries and police department.
On this occasion, secretary agriculture Israr Khan informed the participants of the meeting about the measures taken to prevent the smuggling, hoarding and profiteering of urea in the province.
The forum was informed that the federal government has provided 19,260 metric tons with additional 2,304 metric tons of urea to KP while 13,790 metric tons of urea has been supplied against the demand of 27,366 metric tons in the month of October.
Secretary Agriculture said that the report on actions taken in relation to hoarding, smuggling, profiteering and notified prices printed on urea fertilizer is being ensured to be shared on the PITB portal.
CS-KP directed the officials of the Home department for strict actions against those elements involved in hoarding the fertilizers across the province with the help of police and other relevant departments.
The forum was informed by the officials of the Home that the police department has confiscated about 35,380 bags of urea worth 55 million rupees, similarly 17 people have been arrested and five vehicles have been seized.
Officials further claimed that seized bags have been handed over to the agriculture department to be sold through the government’s farms service centers at official rates.
Israr Khan said that according to KPK FCA 1999 and Rules 2003, the department has the authority to take action against the quality control of fertilizers, marketing, and manufacturing of fake and substandard fertilizers.
He said that the agriculture department and other stakeholders including the district administration and the provincial police have seized 56,727 bags of urea out of which 25,189 bags have been handed over to farm service centers to sell to local farmers at the rate fixed by the government.
He said that fines have been imposed on over 4390 people for hoarding and selling fertilizer at high prices.
