Jajpur: Even as sub-standard fertilizer and pesticide are stated to be the reason behind the inability of farmers in checking pest onslaught on crops, the running of two fake fertilizer units in the district has come as a shock for them.
The matter came to fore after BK Das, joint secretary, state industries department, sent a letter (no 10, dated-January 2, 2018) to the CMD, IPICOL-cum-director of industries in Cuttack, informing him about the presence two fake fertilizer units in the district while asking him to initiate legal action against the units.
The units are Guru Agro Chem at Jaraka industrial estate and Majestic Agronomics Pvt Ltd in Korei block.
The units do annual business of over Rs 2 crore without consent to operate and have been running for the last several years. The packaging agencies involved in packing the fertilizer also do not have required permission, the letter said.
The rampant use of fake fertilizer and pesticides has led to farmer suicides in the state as these never help farmers in checking pest attack on crops.
A farmer in Bargarh district committing suicide due to crop loss over pest attack in November, last year is a case in this point. The farmer was frustrated over crop loss and set fire to his pest-eaten crop before committing suicide.
The incident triggered a huge uproar in the state following which the industry and agriculture department took up a probe on fertilizer and pesticides manufacturing units in the state.
The department during its probe found Indian Organic Manure Company, Kalinga Fertilizer and Chemicals in Cuttack district, Balgopal Agrovet and Chemicals in Jagatpur, Shakti Agro-Chemicals in Mahishapat in Dhenkanal, Savio Bio Organic and Fertilizers in Berhampur, Guru Agro-Chem in Jaraka and Majestic Agronomics Pvt Ltd at Korbandi in Korei block of Jajpur district, Sai Fertilizer Pvt Ltd at Ganganagar , Bhagynagar Laboratory at Shantinagar, GS Fertilizers at Sabar Sahi in Rasulgarh, Surya Kiran Traders at Canal Road in Bomikhal, Aditya Group in Jharpada and Siddhtech Agrovet at College Road in Naharkanta in Bhubaneswar running with consent to operate.
These units also didn’t have factory license, labour license, clearance from state pollution control board, EPF and ESI provisions and required certificates from the district industries centre.
Deputy director of agriculture Bijay Bhushan Pani said he is yet to receive any complaint on the fake units but will take up a probe if a complaint is made.
General manager of DIC Manoranjan Mallick said he will take up a probe if the units are found violating norms. PNN
