Unhappy with amendments to seed Act, producers call for 7-day strike in Haryana

Unhappy with the amendments made to the Seeds and Insecticides Acts by the Haryana Government, seeds and insecticide producers and dealers have given a call for a seven-day strike in the state.

In a state-level meeting, seeds and pesticide producers and dealers expressed concerns over the new provisions and said the amendments were unacceptable and these would promote corrupt practices.

Haryana Seeds Producers’ Association state president Pal Singh Dhaliwal said: “The amendments were against the producers and dealers, and we are in no position to work under such circumstances. The new provisions make offences under the Act non-bailable and cognisable. Earlier, there was a fine of Rs 500 for the first offence and Rs 1,000 fine, and 1-year imprisonment for the second offence. However, now there will be a fine of Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh, and one to three years of imprisonment.”

“There are over 500 big seed producers, around 10,000 big seed dealers and nearly 5,000 small-time dealers in Haryana. The seed production is a highly regulated process in which the principal seed is procured from the government agencies, including Punjab Agriculture University, DWR Karnal, Haryana Agriculture University, and PUSA institute. These are grown under the supervision of the Haryana State Seed Certification Agency. The product is tested in the government labs and then the product is allowed for sales,” he added.

“Under the new provision, if the germination of seeds is below 80 per cent, action will be taken against the producer and the dealer, while there could be many factors behind the lower germination. The weather conditions, dormancy period and other reasons could affect the germination. Farmers come to know about the germination within three days and if the results are not satisfactory, they can sow the seed again, raise their claims with the dealers. They can also approach the consumer court”, he added.

He said Haryana’s seed producers were well known in the country for providing quality seeds. The seed producers across the country had extended support to the Haryana’s seed producers and assured not to supply their products in the state.

Dhaliwal said: “A 23-member committee has also been formed to resolve the matter with the state government. The government should take its decision back. It has been decided to go on strike for seven days. If the demand is not accepted, we will go on an indefinite strike. No seed will be supplied to dealers for sales in Haryana.”

Meanwhile, Subhash Khurana, patron of the Pesticide Manufacturers’ Association, Haryana, said: “Certain things, including weather, are not in control of manufacturers and dealers, and it plays an important role in the effectiveness of the product. The changes made are harsh and unacceptable. We have decided to stop the sales from Monday.”

Amit Goel, chairman, Agro Input Dealers’ Association, said: “The dealers only sell the products received in sealed packets from the producers, and are in no position to test their quality. Like the government, we also work for the welfare of the farmers, but the changes are not acceptable.”

Haryana Tribune