In order to decimate the possibility of sale of fake fertilizers and agrochemicals, the dealers selling fertilizers and insecticides without bills will be facing strict action in Punjab.An official spokesperson said on Sunday said that Director, ‘Tandarust Punjab Mission’, Kahan Singh Pannu, has written a letter to the director of agriculture, asking for the strict implementation of the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Fertilizer Control Act, 1985.

All Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the state have been sent a copy of the letter to instruct the agriculture officers at the district level to ensure continuous checking of insecticide shops and to make the farmers aware about the consequences of fake insecticides, added the spokesperson.

It has been clarified in the letter that the district agriculture officer will ensure the adequate compliance of the instructions.

“If a dealer is found to be selling fertilizers or other material without a bill or not conforming to the quality parameters then legal action should be taken against him and the officer should not refrain from canceling his license”, added the spokesperson.According to the spokesperson, in Punjab, chemical fertilizers, seeds and agro-chemicals are sold in huge quantities by the private traders through about 8,000 shops.It has been observed that most private shopkeepers have been selling fertilizers, medicines and other agricultural inputs to the farmers without any regular bills, due to which the possibility of sale of artificial fertilizers and other farm produce cannot be ruled out, added the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Kahan Singh Pannu said that under the Tandarust Punjab Mission, clean drinking water, food and air have to be provided to the people.He said, it is necessary to ensure availability of good quality fertilizers and other agrochemicals to the farmers.

Pannu said that ensuring the proper quality and quantity of fertilizers and agricultural inputs is the responsibility of the shopkeepers.

He said it is a legal and moral responsibility of the officials of agriculture department to ensure quality agricultural inputs for the farmers.