Patna: The agriculture department on Tuesday suspended the licences of seven fertilizer and pesticide dealers in Motihari and recalled the East Champaran district agriculture officer to the state headquarters following inspections aimed at detecting irregularities in the storage and sale of agricultural inputs.According to a communique issued by the department, the action followed reports of irregularities in Motihari and other parts of East Champaran.State agriculture director Mukesh Kumar Lal held a review meeting in Motihari before constituting raiding teams and flying squads comprising department officials and personnel. The teams conducted surprise inspections of establishments and shops dealing in fertilizers and pesticides.Following the inspections, licences of six storage establishments and one retail outlet were suspended. Show-cause notices were also issued to owners of several other retail shops, the department said.Agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha was kept informed about the developments and he subsequently ordered the East Champaran district agriculture officer to report to the state headquarters. Assistant director Mrinal Shastri was given additional charge of district agriculture officer.Sinha directed district officials to continue the inspections to ensure that farmers receive fertilizers and pesticides in the required quantities and at prescribed prices. The department said it would take action against black marketing, hoarding and overcharging.
