North News
Chandigarh, November 26
A laboratory examination has confirmed that a stock of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser seized from SBS Nagar district is substandard, containing far lower amounts of essential nutrients than required. Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian revealed that the seized 23 bags (50 kg each) of DAP, found during a raid at M/s Singh Traders, contained only 2.80% nitrogen and 16.23% phosphorus, significantly below the expected 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus content. The water-soluble phosphorus was also found to be just 14.10%, far from the expected 39.5%.
The raid was prompted by complaints from farmers about rising DAP prices. The Agriculture Department, with police assistance, seized the fertiliser from the premises of Harkirat Singh, the trader in Urapar village. An FIR was filed against Singh under the Essential Commodity Act and Fertilizer Control Order. The seized material was sent to the Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratory in Ludhiana, where it was declared non-standard.
Khudian reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests and warned that those engaged in such illegal practices would face strict action. He urged officials to continue the state’s ongoing inspections of fertilisers and seeds.
