A case of alleged black marketing of subsidised fertiliser has surfaced in Moriwala village, Sirsa, where agricultural-grade urea was found stored in a plywood factory. The illegal hoard was exposed after vigilant farmers spotted a vehicle transporting the fertiliser into the industrial unit late at night.
The Incident
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The Tip-off: Farmers, led by Bharatiya Kisan Ekta (BKE) state president Lakhvinder Singh Aulakh and farmer Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, noticed a truck (Tata Ace) entering the factory premises under suspicious circumstances.
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The Raid: Acting on the farmers’ complaint, officials from the Agriculture Department, including Assistant Plant Protection Officer Vijender Pal, raided the site.
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Findings: The team discovered bags of subsidised urea stored inside a room. A worker at the site reportedly admitted that the factory purchased the urea at ₹400 per bag (higher than the subsidised rate but cheaper than industrial grade) to manufacture glue/adhesive for plywood.
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Misuse: Subsidised urea is meant strictly for crops; its diversion for industrial use causes shortages for farmers and financial loss to the government.
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Action Taken
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Police Action: The factory owner reportedly fled the spot during the raid. The Agriculture Department officials sealed the store room and seized the stock.
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Legal Proceedings: A case has been registered against the factory owner under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985.
Broader Context This incident follows a similar crackdown in Yamunanagar, a major plywood hub, where farmers earlier this month intercepted three trucks carrying over 2,000 bags of urea. The administration has since placed plywood units under strict surveillance to prevent the diversion of farm subsidies.
