1.1 Matters towards not giving printed bill to farmers:
SOP/Mechanism: As per FCO, 1985, it is mandatory for ''Every dealer to issue a cash or credit memorandum to a purchaser of a fertiliser in Form M". With the PoS machine came into existence, same is modified into printed bills which is to be given to the farmers by retailers during sale of subsidized fertilizers through PoS machine.
Various Communication through letter/ Email/ WhatsApp messages etc. from time to time is being made to retailers by Agriculture Department and same is also pursued through our Wholesalers for sensitizing them for giving printed bills to the farmers. During field visit of our officer, random verification should be done to ensure that retailers are issuing printed bills to farmers.
However, if any case of matter related to not giving printed bills to farmers comes in our notice, same will be addressed to local agriculture department and concerned wholesaler to know about and for further corrective actions as Agriculture Department is empowered to take action as per FCO.
1.2 Creation of artificial scarcity:
SOP/Mechanism: Scarcity happens when there is more demand than the required supply. Every month, Dept. of Agriculture conducts meeting for judicious & meticulous planning for distribution of fe-tilizers for different distr4cts after getting allocation from Deptt. of Fcl-tilizer, New Delhi. State Agriculture Dept. regularly monitors the sales, supplies and stock position of fertilizers up to block level.
Also, as per FCO, "Every dealer, who makes or offers to make a retail sale of any fertilisers, shall prominently display in his place of business: -
(a) the quantities of opening stock of different fertilisers held by him on each day.
(b) A list of prices or rates of such fertilisers fixed under clause 3 and for the time being in force.
However, in case of complaint of artificial scarcity, random verification of stocks should be done by Agriculture Department at Wholesale/ Retail level. Any discrepancy in stock should be dealt accordingly as per FCO guidelines by Agriculture Dept.
1.3 Selling above MRP i.e. Black marketing through Corrupt Nexus:
SOP/Mechanism: As per FC0,1985:
1. The Central Government may, with a view to regulating equitable distribution of fertilisers and making fertilisers available at fair prices, by notification in the Official Gazette, fix the maximum prices or rates at which any fertiliser may be sold by a dealer, manufacturer, importer or a pool handling agency.
2. The Central Government may having regard to the local conditions of any area, the period of storage of fertilisers and other relevant circumstances, fix different prices or rates for fertilisers having different periods of storage or for different areas or for different classes of consumers.
3. No dealer, manufacturer importer or pool handling agency shall sell or offer for sale any fertiliser at a price exceeding the maximum price or rate fixed under this clause.
Every month, Dept. of Agriculture conducts meeting for judicious & meticulous planning for distribution of fertilizers for different districts after getting allocation from Dept. of Fertilizer, New Delhi. State Agriculture Dept. regularly monitors the sales, supplies and stock position of fertilizers up to block level. As per FCO, 1985, State governments are adequately empowered to take necessary steps for avoiding black marketing. Moreover, time to time, Instructions should be made to our dealer to ensure that their retailers sell RCF fertilizers within MRP.
Meanwhile, it is proposed that our officers during their field visit for PoS stock verification, random verification/confirmation can do with farmers by getting the details from PoS towards sell of fertilizers at or below MRP and if any complaint comes in our notice, same may be addressed to local Agriculture Dept.
Moreover, as per FCO, 1985 under clause 27, fertilizer inspectors are adequately empowered check and verify the stock with to wholesalers/retailers. (25.03.2025)
