Seeds, fertilisers seized after surprise checks at outlets

The Vigilance and Enforcement Department which conducted simultaneous surprise checks at as many as 114 outlets of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides in all districts of Andhra Pradesh, seized thousands of quintals of these items, worth around Rs 39 crore.
Director General (Vigilance and Enforcement) T P Das said here today that during the checks on June 21 and June 22, 20,742 quintals of seeds worth Rs 6.78 crore, 34,312 quintals of fertilisers worth Rs 31.45 crore and pesticides worth Rs 61.34 lakhs were seized, an official release said.
He said that three cases were booked against 71 accused under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act. The major seizures were at Kurnool and West Godavari districts, the release said.

The Department has been conducting inspections to curb illegal sale and storage of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. Some outlets where inspection was conducted were found to be violating the Seed Act and the Insecticide Act.