Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on fertiliser black marketing and hoarding, Odisha govt has seized fertiliser stocks belonging to 12 dealers and registered criminal cases against seven of them this year. Besides, it has cancelled 96 dealership licences, suspended 170 others and temporarily stopped sales by 321 dealers accused of irregularities, the agriculture and farmers’ empowerment department said on Wednesday, adding show-cause notices have been also issued to 2,774 traders.The action follows a state-wide enforcement drive launched ahead of the ongoing Kharif 2026-27 season to ensure uninterrupted availability of fertilisers and curb diversion, hoarding and the sale of substandard products.Acting on the directions of deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against fertiliser black marketing. District- and block-level enforcement squads have been formed, while flying squads comprising officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, besides police, are carrying out regular inspections across the state.Officials said raids have been conducted at 11,684 fertiliser shops during the current financial year.The scale of enforcement has increased significantly compared to 2025-26, when raids were conducted at 9,017 fertiliser shops, leading to 2,373 show-cause notices, suspension of sales by 48 dealers and suspension or cancellation of 53 licences. Fertiliser stocks of 15 dealers were seized and nine people faced legal action.In a recent operation on Aug 29, a joint team comprising revenue and agriculture officials, and police personnel seized 700 bags of DAP fertiliser from an agency in Kandhamal district’s Baliguda subdivision. The shop’s licence was cancelled and a criminal case registered. Investigation is underway.In Boudh district, raids have been conducted over the past two days at several fertiliser outlets in Manamunda block following allegations of black marketing and irregularities. Officials said statements from farmers are being recorded and appropriate action will be taken if violations are established.The department maintained that adequate fertiliser stocks are available across the state and urged farmers not to panic or fall prey to rumours. Farmers have been advised to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers at regulated prices.
