Thane: State agriculture department has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures across the Konkan region to curb alleged diversion and black marketing of subsidised urea meant for farmers, officials said on Friday. The move comes amid concerns that neem-coated urea, supplied at subsidised rates for agricultural use, is being diverted for industrial purposes due to a significant price difference with technical grade urea (TGU), they said. The Konkan division, which includes districts such as Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri, primarily depends on urea for paddy cultivation. However, industries such as chemical, plywood, resin and paint manufacturing units in the belt requires large quantities of TGU. Divisional joint director (agriculture) Shivaji Amle said a special inspection drive has been launched across the region.
