Bihar cracks down on fertiliser hoarding in Rabi season: 83 licences cancelled, 31 FIRs filed, 2,000 fertiliser bags seized in East Champaran

The Bihar Agriculture Department has intensified its crackdown against black marketing, hoarding, and illegal storage of fertilisers during the ongoing rabi season. They have filed FIRs against 31 fertiliser shops and cancelled the licenses of 83 units, and over the past few days, they also seized almost 2,000 fertiliser bags in East Champaran.

Principal Secretary of Agriculture Pankaj Kumar says the state government won’t put up with any problems in the fertiliser supply chain. He made it clear that they will handle black marketing, hoarding, and illegal storage very strictly. Their main goal is that fertilisers must reach farmers on time and at the fixed prices.

The department is running inspections and raids all over the state with the help of district administrations and the Sashastra Seema Bal. Flying squads from the headquarters are conducting surprise checks at fertiliser shops, godowns, and other suspected places. They have set up special teams in border areas to stop fertilisers from being smuggled across borders.

In one major operation, joint teams raided the Bankatwa block in East Champaran after receiving information about illegal fertiliser storage. The raids were conducted at six locations in Regania and Agarwa villages. These included two licensed fertiliser godowns, three private houses and one fertiliser outlet where multiple types of fertilisers were stored in violation of rules.

During the operation, officials recovered around 1,956 fertiliser bags, including urea, single super phosphate (SSP) and muriate of potash (MOP). The seized fertilisers were taken into custody, and legal action was started under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985, along with other applicable laws. The department said licences are being cancelled, FIRs are being lodged, and strict penalties are being enforced against those found guilty.

Earlier this week, the principal secretary dismissed concerns about any fertiliser shortage in Bihar. He said that as of 24th December, the state had sufficient stocks for the rabi season, including about 2.37 lakh metric tonnes of urea, 1.23 lakh metric tonnes of DAP, 2.10 lakh metric tonnes of NPK, 0.40 lakh metric tonnes of MOP, and 1.11 lakh metric tonnes of SSP.

According to the department, action against fertiliser irregularities during the 2025-26 rabi season up to 24th December included FIRs against 31 establishments and cancellation of 83 licences. Special verification drives were also carried out on 25th and 26th December to match fertiliser stocks shown on point-of-sale machines with the actual stock available at outlets. District agriculture officers conducted inspections under the “zero office day” initiative and interacted directly with farmers.

The principal secretary has instructed district and block-level fertiliser monitoring committees to hold pending meetings and ensure block-wise fertiliser allocation based on actual need. He warned that any mismatch between recorded and physical stock will invite strict action under a zero-tolerance policy.

The department has advised farmers to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers and to report overpricing, hoarding or illegal storage to local agriculture offices or district authorities. Officials said the enforcement drive will continue with full strictness to protect farmers’ interests.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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