DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has launched helpline numbers for the state farmers to report any pesticide dealers who tag other products with di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) or other fertilisers. Farmers can also report issues such as excessive pricing, illegal hoarding, or black marketing of DAP fertiliser.

Sharing the details, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that farmers can call the helpline number 1100 or send a WhatsApp message to the contact number +91-98555-01076 to lodge complaints against pesticide dealers engaged in corrupt practices.

Reiterating the commitment of the state government for welfare of the farmers, he stated that tagging other unnecessary chemicals with fertilisers or selling fertilisers at inflated prices, or engaging in the black market of fertilisers a legal offence and the strict action will be taken under the provisions of the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, who found indulged in this malpractice.

Meanwhile, the cabinet minister also urged the farmers to follow the suggestion of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) experts regarding use of alternative fertilisers including NPK (12:32:16), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), and Single Super Phosphate (SSP), which can be used as alternate sources

of Phosphorus.
(editor@dailyworld.in)