Pune: In a major crackdown to prevent the sale of counterfeit agricultural inputs during the Kharif season, the Agricultural Department has permanently revoked the licenses of 15 distributors in the district.

The move comes after quality control inspectors found serious irregularities during periodic inspections. Additionally, 31 distributors have had their licenses suspended, and 7 others have been issued strict warnings, according to District Agricultural Superintendent Sanjay Kachole.

With satisfactory rainfall since June, sowing of Bajra, maize, and other crops for the Kharif season has been completed, and the planting of Adsali sugarcane is progressing well. Farmers are visiting agricultural service centers to purchase chemical fertilizers and pesticides for their crops.

However, upon visiting, they are often told that urea and other requested fertilizers are out of stock. Additionally, there have been complaints that farmers are being forced to buy other products linked with the purchase of urea fertilizers.

Complaints have been received by the Agriculture Department that distributors are forcing the sale of additional products with any input, refusing to sell despite availability, selling at inflated prices, and not providing receipts.

Farmers can lodge complaints with evidence at the district level on the WhatsApp number 9158479306. The government has ensured adequate supply of urea and other chemical fertilizers at the taluka level, and farmers should purchase inputs at government-specified rates and obtain proper invoices.

Actions such as suspension of licenses, sales closure orders, and license revocations will be taken if any irregularities are found following farmer complaints, warned Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer Supriya Bandal.

For the 2024-25 Kharif season, the Agriculture Department has planned to ensure timely and reasonably priced supply of quality inputs to farmers.

During inspections, licenses have been revoked due to reasons such as lack of origin documents in the sales license, selling at higher rates, failing to renew registration certificates within the stipulated time, not displaying stock and price lists prominently, and not providing proper bills to farmers.