Farmers’ concern over Wankidi fertilizer shops

Farmers demand inquiry into billing policy and pricing – Farmers Welfare Association demands thorough investigation Wankidi/Asifabad, July 4: Farmers are expressing concern over the business practices of some fertilizer shops in Wankidi mandal of Komuram Bheem-Asifabad district. There are allegations that even though they claim to have reduced some amount during the purchase of fertilizers and given them in cash or cheque, the full price is being recorded in the final bill. There are views that farmers who do not have full understanding of business transactions during the agricultural season are paying high prices and getting into debt. Farmers say that there are doubts about the determination of fertilizer prices, billing policy, subsidies given to farmers, and amounts shown in bills in some fertilizer shops across the mandal. Some farmers allege that even though they say they have been given a subsidy, the full price is being recorded in the bill. They demand that the relevant departments conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and bring the facts to light. When media representatives contacted a businessman leading a fertilizer shop union on this issue, he reportedly responded, “Write whatever you want… we all do honest business.” However, at the same time, some reporters say that he was repeatedly recording the names of journalists in a diary. It is also said that he put the diary aside later. Questions have been raised locally about why the names of journalists need to be recorded separately if business transactions are completely transparent and in accordance with the rules. What is the purpose behind recording the names in the diary? Is it just for the details of those who visited? Or is it for some other reason? Locals are of the opinion that clarity needs to be obtained on these issues. Meanwhile, Botpelli Jairam, district president of the Komuram Bheem-Asifabad District Farmers Welfare Association, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the fertilizer shops. He said that there are allegations of irregularities in the prices of fertilizers sold to farmers in some fertilizer shops in Wankidi mandal. He said that he has come across complaints that farmers are being shown to have been given a reduced amount in cash or cheques, but the full price is being recorded on the bill. Jairam said that there are suspicions that high prices are being charged in the sale of urea, cotton seeds and pesticides during the agricultural season. He expressed his concern that innocent farmers are paying high prices due to lack of awareness in business transactions and are falling into debt. He demanded that the relevant authorities conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and not just conduct nominal inspections. Similarly, when media representatives contacted a trader belonging to the fertilizer shop union, Jairam said that some people noticed that the names of journalists were being recorded in a diary one after the other. He said that if all the transactions were being carried out as per the rules and transparently, there was a need to record the names of journalists separately. He asked the authorities to pay attention to this issue as well. Jairam said that there are also doubts about the validity of the licenses, permits and other legal documents of some fertilizer shops. There are allegations that the license is in the name of one person but the business is being run by another, and he asked the Agriculture Department, Legal Metrology, Commercial Taxes Department and the district administration to jointly conduct inspections on them. He said that due to the increase in the prices of urea, cotton seeds and pesticides every year during the agricultural season, farmers are getting into debt, and some are facing severe financial difficulties and are leaving their families. Jairam expressed his concern that the farmers are in a crisis. He said that the government should not ignore the actions of looting the hard-earned money of the farmers under any circumstances. He assured that his association will always stand by the farmers and will work to bring the problems to the attention of the government. On the other hand, the farmers are demanding a special investigation into the billing system, price determination, implementation of subsidies, stock management, and validity of licenses in the sale of fertilizers. People are of the opinion that if there are any irregularities anywhere, strict action should be taken against those responsible, and if the allegations are false, clarity should be given on them. Local sources say that a clear picture of the matter is likely to emerge only after the complete facts, relevant documents, statements of the farmers, and the response of the officials come to light.