Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Jun 12: In a major crackdown, the Vittal police led by police inspector Prakash Devadiga have unearthed a state-level organized network involved in illegally diverting subsidized urea fertilizer meant for farmers and selling it at higher prices. One accused has been arrested, while fertilizer worth several lacs of rupees and a truck used for transportation have been seized.
The arrested accused has been identified as Mohammed Ashraf (40), a resident near Khandiga Government School in Kolnadu village of Bantwal taluk. According to police, he had been illegally storing urea fertilizer at his residence and operating the racket.
Investigations revealed that the network purchased subsidized urea supplied by the Central government to farmers through various agricultural credit cooperative societies and societies using benami farmers' names. The fertilizer was then removed from the official yellow bags bearing government markings and repacked into 50-kg white bags labelled as ‘Technical Grade’. The repackaged fertilizer was allegedly transported and sold illegally at exorbitant prices to plywood factories in Kerala.
During the raid, police recovered 342 bags of urea fertilizer, each weighing 50 kg that had been illegally stockpiled. In addition, another 300 bags of urea being transported in a truck after being procured from Tumakuru and Hassan regions at Rs 300 per bag were seized. In total, 642 bags of fertilizer and the Tata truck bearing registration number KA-11-A-6017 used for transportation were taken into custody.
Officials pointed out that the actual market price of a 50-kg bag of urea is Rs 1,457.29, of which the Central government provides a subsidy of Rs 1,190.79. As a result, farmers receive the fertilizer at just Rs 266.50 per bag. The diversion of such subsidized fertilizer with the alleged involvement of personnel at fertilizer sales centres has sparked anger among the farming community.
Following the raid, Bantwal agriculture officer Nandan Shenai, assistant director Veena, district vigilance officer Nagaveni, Kolnadu village administrative officer Karibasappa, and police personnel Vinay Kumar, Gadigeppa, Mayappa and Sabu Mirji visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
Vittal police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the racket.