SHOPIAN: In view of complaints received from various quarters of the district, the District Administration Shopian has launched a major crackdown against sale of spurious pesticides in the district.
The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, S K Vaishya constituted multiple teams of officials from Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue Departments and directed for surprise inspection of all retail outlets/ warehouses of pesticides.
A total of 31 pesticides sale outlets and 3 warehouses were inspected in Shopian, Hermain and Zainapora, registration documents were checked and 5 samples were lifted for laboratory testing. Out of these, 4 outlets including Shahid Agro Chemicals, Malik Agro Chemicals, Goodluck Agro Chemicals and Australian Pesticides were sealed for non-adherence to guidelines envisaged under Insecticide Act (1968) and Rules (1971) thereof.
The teams instructed the dealers to strictly comply with guidelines in vogue.
Regarding the surprise inspections, the DC said that every single pesticide outlet/warehouse in the district shall be inspected for quality check of pesticides and punitive action under law shall be ensured against unregistered/illegally operating units or those compromising with quality of the pesticides.
He said that the Govt. has also constituted district wise law enforcement teams comprising District Law Enforcement Officer, District Agriculture Officer, Law Enforcement Inspector (Vehil) and concerned Horticulture Development Officer for strict implementation of Insecticide Act (1968) and Rules (1971) thereof. People can register their grievances with these officers for immediate action, he added.
Earlier today the DDC held a press conference wherein he stressed upon the need to eradicate menace of sale of spurious pesticides in the district for bumper apple crop. He assured the public that criminal action shall be initiated against such dealers who are involved in this racket of selling spurious pesticides thereby causing damage to the apple crops.
He called upon the public as responsible citizens they should be eyes and ears of administration in the field and bring into our notice about sale and purchase of such pesticides so that stringent action is initiated against culprits.

KR Desk