Steps Taken to Check the Sale of Adulterated Fertilizers

Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 has been promulgated for regulation of quality of fertilizers. Samples of fertilizers are drawn periodically by fertilizer inspectors of State Governments to check their quality as per the parameters prescribed in the said Order. In case of imported fertilizers, the fertilizer inspectors of the Central Government draw samples from ships/containers. 138961 samples were analyzed in 2013-14 out of which 5.4% samples were not in conformity with laid down parameters.

There are 78 Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories (FQCL) in the country at present. No person shall manufacture/import for sale, sell, offer for sale, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any fertilizer which is not notified in the Fertilizer (Control) Order or not of standard prescribed in the said Order. State Governments are empowered under the said Order to take appropriate administrative and legal action against those not complying with the provisions prescribed in the Order.

Government also provides assistance for setting up of new Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories and strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in reply to an unstarred question by Shri Vishabhar Prasad Nishad in the Rajya Sabha today.