Independent report
KARACHI, November 12: Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Khan Mahar has ordered strict action against hoarding, black marketing and overpricing of urea fertilizer, as well as the sale of counterfeit fertilizers, seeds and pesticides during the Rabi season.
The directives were issued during a meeting chaired by the provincial minister and attended by Sindh Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Zaman Narejo, the Director General Agriculture Extension and other relevant officials.
The minister directed the Agriculture Department and Deputy Commissioners across the province to take indiscriminate action against dealers involved in hoarding and illegal fertilizer sales and submit daily reports on enforcement measures.
He also instructed the Director General Agriculture Extension to establish a complaint cell in Hyderabad to address farmers’ grievances.
Directing fertilizer companies to ensure timely supplies of urea in the required quantities, Mahar warned that artificial shortages and disruptions in the supply chain would not be tolerated.
He further directed agriculture officers to ensure the availability of fertilizer at officially notified prices and strengthen monitoring across the province.
The minister warned that disciplinary action would also be taken against officials found negligent in performing their duties.
He said providing fertilizer to farmers at official rates during the Rabi season remained the government’s top priority and that the interests of growers would be protected.
