Lok Sabha Question No. 4330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Spurious Seeds & Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena, Shri Bhajan Lal Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4330

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH   AUGUST, 2025

## SPURIOUS SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS

4330. SHRIBHAJANLALJATAV AND SHRIHARISH CHANDRA MEENA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether matters involving large scale adulteration of fertilizers and seeds has been reported from Rajasthan, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any independent investigation has been conducted or any central inspection team  has  been  sent  or  any  instructions  have  been  issued  by  the  Government  under  the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 and Seed Act, 1960 to present such irregularities, the details thereof;
- (c) the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  so  far  to  strengthen  the  quality control system;
- (d) the total number of samples of fertilizers and seeds tested in Tank district during the last two years and the number of samples found sub-standard out of them and the action taken thereon along with the details thereof;
- (e) the details of punitive action taken against the firms supplying these spurious seeds and fertilizers; and
- (f) whether the Government is running any relief or compensation scheme to compensate the loss suffered by the farmers, if so, the number of farmers provided relief so far along with the total compensation amount distributed to them, the district-wise details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) to (c):  In order to ensure supply of quality fertilizers, the  Government is implementing the Fertiliser  (Inorganic,  Organic  or  Mixed)  (  Control)  Order,1985  (FCO)  under  the  Essential Commodities  Act,  1955.  Similarly,  Seed  Act  1966,  the  Seed  Rules,  1968  and  the  Seed (Control) Order, 1983 regulates the quality of seeds sold in the market. Under FCO, State Governments are the enforcement authority empowered to take action against violation.

Similarly  under  the  Seed  Control  Order  and  the  Seed  Act,  1966,  State  Governments  are empowered to take legal action against any violation of its provision. It is the responsibility of the States to ensure quality fertilizers and seeds are available to farmers.  Accordingly, State authorities take necessary action as per the Essential Commodity Act or Seed Act as the case may be.

The Government gives instructions to States time to time to launch campaign to ensure the quality of fertilizers and  seeds.  Advisory are issued to  State  Governments  for implementation  of  legal  and  regulatory  provisions  available  under  the  Seeds  Act/Essential Commodities Act. The objective of the campaign is to ensure available quality inputs to the farmers in adequate quantity at  right  place  and  right  time.  The  Government  also  takes up necessary  enforcement  action  suo  moto  through  central  agency  namely,  Central  Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute under the Ministry by conducting inspection, drawing and testing of samples and directing States to take necessary actions against defaulters.

During the period April, 2025 to 8 th  August, 2025, 10423 raids have been conducted in Rajasthan with 853 show cause notices issued, 54 licenses suspended/cancelled and 53 FIRs registered against defaulters. During the month of July, 2025 two inspections were made by the  Central  team  in  02  districts  namely  Alwar  &  Bharatpur  of  Rajasthan  State  to  check Fertilizers  related  issues.    Such  enforcement  action  is  conducted  for  all  kinds  of  fertilizers specified under FCO  such as chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, micronutrient,  bio-stimulant,  Fermented  Organic  Manure,  Liquefied  Fermented  Organic Manure,  nano  fertilizers, water soluble fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, fortified fertilizers, customized fertilizers etc.

(d) to (f):  Any violation of the provision of the Fertiliser (Control) Order attracts punitive action such as cancellation & suspension of authorization letter and penal action under the Essential Commodities Act for imprisonment for a  period of three months to seven years. The Seed Act, 1966 provides for penalty of ₹ 500 as fine for the first offence & imprisonment up to 6 months, or with fine of ₹ 1000 or with both for the subsequent offences. However, there is no provision of compensation.

During the last two year, 424 samples of fertilizers and 437 samples of seeds tested in Tonk district.  Out  of  these, 46 samples of fertilizers and 13 samples of seeds were found non standard.  State Government has taken action thereon. As a result, 7 cases related fertilizers and 7 cases related to seeds are in court.

*****