Bengaluru, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Karnataka Agriculture Department has confiscated 680 bags of subsidized fertilizer near Siruguppa in Bellary district, valued at approximately ₹18 lakh. Initial investigations suggest that this stock was intended for shipment to Kerala.
Acting on the directives of Agriculture Minister P.M. Narendra Swamy, the department’s vigilance team conducted a raid late Thursday night. This operation aimed to curb illegal trade and misuse of agricultural products, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Officials intercepted a truck near Siruguppa, leading to the seizure of the fertilizer bags. There are suspicions that these bags were being transported out of Karnataka unlawfully. Preliminary inquiries indicated that the subsidized fertilizer was purchased from a distributor and was meant for industrial units in Kerala. A complaint has been filed with the police regarding this matter.
This action is part of a larger campaign to combat the sale of substandard seeds and pesticides, illegal storage of fertilizers, and black-market activities. During this operation, authorities also seized 113.05 quintals of seeds valued at ₹50.22 lakh, with many being sold without valid licenses. The seized seeds included rice and maize varieties from K.R. Pet in Chikkaballapur, Hassan, and Mandya districts. Additionally, 487.8 metric tons of fertilizers worth ₹1.89 crore were confiscated.
Among the significant seizures was 86.2 metric tons of subsidized urea, valued at ₹51.52 lakh, which was stockpiled for purposes other than farming. This urea was confiscated in Kalaburagi and Bellary districts.
In another case, authorities seized 139.02 metric tons of mixed fertilizers worth ₹86.49 lakh, which were stored without valid licenses, leading to a case being registered in a Davanagere court.
The department also confiscated bio-products worth ₹9.12 lakh, along with 662.9 liters and 2,492 kilograms of pesticides valued at ₹49.46 lakh. In the districts of Koppal, Raichur, and Vijayapura, pesticides worth ₹32.24 lakh were seized, including expired products and those sold without the necessary licenses.
The Agriculture Department has announced that it will continue monitoring and enforcing regulations across the state to ensure that farmers receive high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
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