Telangana to launch crackdown on spurious seeds, fertilizers; CM Revanth allows invoking PD Act
He stressed the need for surveillance at state borders to prevent the entry of counterfeit agricultural inputs
By Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has ordered a crackdown on the sale of spurious seeds and fertilizers.
CM Revanth said the government would adopt an `iron-fist' approach against those endangering farmersā livelihood.
The Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting attended by Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Adviser Vem Narender Reddy, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, and other senior officials, where he emphasized full preparedness for the upcoming monsoon crop season.
Speaking on the occasion, Revanth Reddy directed Agriculture Department officials to ensure the timely availability of quality seeds and fertilizers in all districts. He also instructed District Collectors and police officials to remain alert and conduct joint raids via task forces to identify and take action against unscrupulous traders.
"The government has zero tolerance for those cheating farmers. Strict legal measures, including the invocation of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against repeat offenders, will be taken," the Chief Minister said, and added that intelligence had been gathered on the movement and distribution of fake seeds across the state.
He also stressed the need for surveillance at state borders to prevent the entry of counterfeit agricultural inputs and asked the Chief Secretary to coordinate closely with district Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and Municipal Commissioners to ensure smooth operations during the season.
Revanth Reddy urged farmers to purchase only sealed and labeled seed packets and retain purchase bills and packaging until harvest, which could help in tracing faulty supplies if needed. He also instructed the Agriculture Department to roll out a large-scale awareness campaign to educate farmers about the risks of using fake seeds.
The CM called on farmers to pay attention to IMD advisories predicting an early monsoon and begin sowing at the right time. Officials informed the Chief Minister that sufficient stocks of seeds and fertilizers are currently available across all districts.
The officials also projected an increase in the area under paddy and cotton cultivation this season, with all high-demand seed varieties readily available in the market.
