Hoarding / Black Marketing or tagging Products by any society/ cooperative or individual would not be tolerated: Randeep Nabha

Strict action would be initiated against the defaulters and their license would be revoked

No need of panic situation due to shortfall in availability of DAP

Chandigarh, November 6:

Black marketing & tagging of unnecessary products should be avoided with retail dealers & PACS (Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies). Coming down heavily on the retailers and the societies, Mr. Randeep Nabha, Agriculture Minister Punjab today said that strict action shall be initiated against the dealer/PACS who will hoard/ black market  or tag unnecessary products along with DAP , according to FCO-1985 license of retailers/ PACS will be cancelled who found indulged in such malpractices.

Divulging the details about the availability of DAP in the Punjab,  Randeep Nabha Said that State has been allocated 5.50 LMT of DAP during Rabi 2021-2022. 1.51 LMT was received out of 1.97 LMT allocated during October 2021. 2.56 LMT has been allocated during November 2021. A total Quantity of 1.60 LMT of DAP has been received up till now. As on 06.11.2021, 0.67 LMT DAP is available in different districts of Punjab. 50 rakes of DAP have been planned to be received up to Nov.15, 2021. Seven rakes of DAP (18304MT) have been received at Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Abohar, Muktsar & Rampura Phul during November 2021. 12 rakes of DAP(34558 MT) are in transit to be placed at Amritsar(2), Ropar, Batala, Ludhiana(3), Rajpura, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Muktsar & Sunam. 18 rakes (50,000 MT) are indented at Indian Railways & will be matured soon  & expected to be  received upto November 15,2021.

 Nabha further said that Prepositioning of DAP starts from August every year. About 1.50 LMT of DAP is deficient this year as compared to previous year during same period. As required quantity of DAP is not available. State Govt. is trying its best to bring DAP in the State. The prices of DAP is high in international market & required quantity is not available internationally. Alternate Phosphatic fertilizers like NPK & SSP should also be used along with DAP to fulfill phospathic requirements. About 0.34 LMT of NPK & 0.57 LMT of SSP is available in different districts of the State.

 Nabha appealed to retailers, cooperative societies and even individual farmers, not to illegally hoard DAP unnecessarily, which may lead to panic buying and unrest amongst farmers of the State.