Amaresh Kulagi, Koppal zilla panchayat president, instructed officials of the Agricultural Department to constantly monitor the quality of seeds and fertilizers being sold in the open market.
Presiding over a monthly meeting to review the progress of various development works here on Wednesday, Mr. Kulagi said that due to the failure of rain, farmers have suffered severe losses during the kharif season.
Now, with the district experiencing good rain during September, the hopes of farmers of getting a good rabi crop has risen and have started the agricultural operations.
“Agricultural Department officials should constantly monitor the quality of seeds and fertilizers being sold in the open market to ensure that the farmers would not undergo further loss. In case the officials come across of sub-standard seeds/fertilizers being sold, initiate stern legal action against such dealers,” he instructed.
When Veeresh Saloni, chairman of Standing committee on Health and Education, drew the attention of the chair to complaints that dealers were selling seeds and fertilizers over and above the Maximum Retail Price, Mr. Kulagi directed the Joint Director of Agriculture to ensure that rate boards were displayed besides ensuring that commodities are sold as per MRP.
Joint Director Agriculture Ramdas informed the meeting that crop loss was in 85 percent of 1.72 lakh hectares cultivated due to failure of monsoon. A report was prepared and would be forwarded to the State government.
However, rain in August was normal, while it was excess during September. Rabi cultivation would commence from October and arrangements have been made to supply seeds and fertilizers at subsidised rates to farmers. Around 1,500 quintals of seeds were being sold in Raitha Samparka kendras daily, he said. Mr. Saloni expressed concern over the delay in installing motors to borewells, dug under Ganga Kalyan yojana during the years 2013-14 and 2014-15, depriving the farmers of Scheduled Castes and Tribes benefits of the government welfare schemes, Mr. Kulagi directed the officials concerned to look into the matter and ensure that motors were installed and energised too and submit a report.
Mr. Kulagi directed to issue show cause notice to Executive Engineer of Minor Irrigation department for not attending the meeting.
Krishna Udupudi, Chief Executive Officer, was among other senior officials present.
Published - September 24, 2015 12:00 am IST
