Jhumpura: Some farmers’ representatives of Jhumpura block in Keonjhar district have opposed the hike in urea prices by government-licensed fertiliser shops.
Farmers complained that the price of urea has been increased to Rs 350 for a 45-kg bag while the government had set the price at Rs 266. The prices of complex fertilisers and zinc sulphate have also gone up.
The farmers said that the weight of urea has been reduced by five-kg a bag by shopkeepers. They added that they were badly hit by the irregular monsoon and the hike in urea price has added to their woes.
The farmers said that licensed shopkeepers are looting them as the district administration has no control over the prices demanded by shopkeepers. “We are not given bills after buying urea,” said Satyaranjan Mohanta, a farmer of the area.
Sources said fertilisers are also sold by Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS). The licensed dealers do not sell fertilisers till they get it from LAMPS. After that they sell the fertilisers at higher prices.
The shopkeepers are extorting money from farmers while selling fertilisers and due to that they do not give bills to farmers, it is alleged.
Blaming decontrol of fertiliser prices for this, the farmers asked the district administration to ensure that fertilisers are supplied at government rates.
Some farmers said that old fertiliser stocks were being sold at new rates and that Maximum Retail Price was not printed on some fertiliser bags.
When contacted, District Agricultural Officer Gajendra said they will take action against shopkeepers who charge excessive prices for fertilisers.
PNN