Jajpur: The district industries centre (DIC) started a probe into the presence of two fake fertilizer and pesticide units in Jajpur district Thursday. The two units are Guru Agrochem at Jaraka Industrial Estate and Majestic Agronomics at Korabandi under Korei block.
The revelation came at a time when sub-standard fertilizers and pesticide are stated to be the reason behind the inability of farmers to check pest onslaught on crops. Running of two fake fertilizer units in the district has come as a shock for them.
The probe was taken up 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 of two fake fertilizer units in the district. It asked him to initiate legal action against them. This daily had published a report on the matter January 10.
However, the IPCOL authorities in Bhubaneswar, director, industries in Cuttack, district labour department and the factories and boiler department are yet to take up probe on the order..
The DIC officials during a verifications seized some documents against Guru Agrochem but found no relevant records in the name of Majestic Agronomics. Manoranjan Mallick, manager, DIC refused to speak on the issue citing impediments in the probe.
The Jaraka firm was found registered to manufacture vermin compost and micro-nutrient fertilizers, DIC sources said.
The crop loss and subsequent suicide of farmers sparked shockwaves all over the state. It was alleged that 13 fake fertilizer and pesticide units functioned in Khurda, Ganjam, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, and Cuttack districts without obtaining factory and labour licenses, clearance from pollution control board, EPF and ESI facilities for their workers production certificate from the district industries centre.
Kedarnath Hansda, deputy director F&B department and district labour officer Siba Shankar Mishra said they are yet to receive any order for the probe.
When contacted, officials of Majestic Agronomics rejected the charges stating that they are not a manufacturing unit but are only wholesale dealer. Ajay Kumar Nath of Guru Agrochem ruled out any manipulation in establishment of his plant stating that his unit functions within norms.
PNN
