Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh: Authorities have cracked down on a fertilizer mafia exploiting farmers’ vulnerability. A vendor, Dharmendra Sahu, was reportedly selling urea, officially priced at ₹266 per bag, at rates ranging from ₹450 to ₹950, without a valid license. When the agriculture department team arrived to inspect the shop, the accused fled the scene.
Illegal Sales in Sehor Village
The action was taken in Sehor village after farmers lodged complaints about overpriced and unlicensed fertilizer sales. Senior Agriculture Development Officer Jitendra Kumar Korku and Agriculture Extension Officer Pratap Singh Garwal conducted an inspection based on these complaints. During the raid, Dharmendra Sahu was absent, having closed the shop and fled.
Farmers’ Complaints Reveal Price Hike
According to farmers, several bags of urea were sold at exorbitant rates:
- Pawan Jatav from Barsodi village reported purchasing two bags at ₹950 per bag.
- Rajpal Singh Gurjar from Sehor village purchased 50 bags at ₹450 per bag.
These prices are significantly above the government-mandated rate of ₹266.50 per bag.
Legal Action Taken
Investigations revealed that the vendor had been illegally storing fertilizers at rented premises belonging to Yogi (son of Matadeen Yogi) and Bhagwati Prasad Goswami, near Mata Mandir. Both storage locations were sealed by fertilizer inspectors.
An FIR has been registered under the Essential Commodities Act (Sections 3/7) and the Fertilizer Control Order 1985 (Sections 7/8/9) against Dharmendra Sahu for unlicensed sales, hoarding, and charging excessive prices. Police are actively searching for the fugitive vendor.
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