The Department of Agriculture has launched a crackdown to check illegal sale of fertilizers in the district.
Special teams that were formed as per the directive of Collector M. Ravikumar seized 2.25 tonnes of fertilizers stocked in shops for non-availability of records. Besides, 20 samples were drawn from various shops to assess the quality of fertilizers.
In seven blocksAccording to a statement on Tuesday, the teams conducted checks in seven blocks, including Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Alwarthirunagari, Udangudi, Sathankulam, Srivaikuntam and Karungulam.
Revised pricesThe teams conducted the checks to create awareness of the revised price of fertilizers among farmers and sellers at retail sales points, and to assess the availability of fertilizers purchased before the price revision.
The fertilizer shop owners in private dealer points and primary cooperative societies had been advised to sell phosphate, potash and complex fertilizers only at the revised prices.
Totally, 45 shops were inspected and it was ensured that 76 tonnes of DAP, 68 tonnes of potash and 83 tonnes of complex fertilizers had been stocked in the retail points.
All the retail shop owners were instructed to exhibit price boards in front of the shops.
