Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Agriculture Department officials raided a shop in Juria, Nagaon, to stop black market urea sales. They seized a cache of fertilizer illegally stashed by owner Sirajul Islam at Dalnijuria. Farmers across Assam are struggling. Paddy season is here. The crop needs fertilizer now, but dealers are holding back stock to drive up prices.
Reports indicate traders sell bags for 400 to 500 rupees. The government set price is only 266 rupees. This artificial scarcity forces farmers to pay double. Officials have received similar complaints from multiple districts regarding unlicensed warehouses holding thousands of bags. These operations create immense hardship for growers during the farming cycle.
The department promised consequences. "Agriculture Department officials warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found hoarding fertilisers or selling them through the black market." They also directed farmers to stick to government-authorized dealers to avoid price gouging.
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