Haryana leads nation in FIRs for fake and substandard fertilisers
Haryana has recorded the highest number of FIRs related to fake and substandard fertilisers in the country over the past five years, with 52 cases registered followed by Madhya Pradesh (36 FIRs) and Uttar Pradesh (34 FIRs), as per data presented in the Lok Sabha.
Under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO)-1985, fertilisers failing to meet prescribed specifications cannot be sold for agricultural use. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, empowers state governments to take action against those selling or manufacturing fake or inferior fertilisers. Responding to a question from MP Brijendra Singh Ola, the Centre stated that complaints related to fake fertilisers are forwarded to state governments for necessary action.
The government provides subsidies to fertiliser manufacturers and importers to ensure affordable prices for farmers. However, if any fertiliser is found substandard, recoveries are made from the pending subsidy claims of the company.
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, Haryana recorded nine cases of fake fertilisers and 701 cases of substandard fertilisers.
The highest number of substandard fertilisers (226 cases) was reported in 2024-25, alongside three fake cases, leading to nine FIRs. In 2022-23, the state saw 20 FIRs for fake fertilizers and 146 cases of substandard ones.
From 2019-20 to 2023-24, Haryana took stringent action against black marketing of fertilisers, registering 174 FIRs, 64 licence cancellations, 371 licence suspensions and 701 show-cause notices issued.
Despite these actions, Bihar topped the country with 854 FIRs, followed by Madhya Pradesh (310 FIRs) for black marketing. The Centre emphasised that state governments are adequately empowered to curb black marketing and smuggling under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and FCO-1985.
To prevent fertiliser misuse, the Fertiliser Flying Squad, along with state authorities, conducts surprise inspections. Since 2022, Haryana witnessed 32 such inspections related to urea diversion, resulting in 15 FIRs. The state ranked second only to Gujarat, which had 43 inspections and 25 FIRs.
In December 2024, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had raised the issue of quality of fertilisers with Haryana and had asked for increasing the sample testing.
Haryana Tribune