Agro-chemical company BayerCrop Science today said it followed "all the procedures" in supplying pesticide 'Oberon' to the Punjab government for controlling whitefly attack on cotton crop.
"We followed all the procedures from our side in supplying pesticide (to Punjab government)," company's Vice President (North), Satish Narang said today adding that there was no violation of any norm by the company.
Amid pesticide row, the government-constituted inquiry report has found that the then Director Agriculture preferred to purchase 'Oberon' pesticide at his own level thus "ignoring" the orders of Agriculture Minister that too "without examining" it technically and adopting e-tendering process, besides "without seeking" approval from the competent authority thereby exceeding his financial powers.
Also Read
Punjab government has already suspended Director Agriculture Mangal Singh Sandhu on the basis of inquiry report which found serious irregularities in purchase of pesticides.
Punjab Bureau of Investigation has also registered a case under various sections of IPC and under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 regarding purchase of spiromesifen pesticide (Oberon brand) by the Department of Agriculture for control of white fly pest attack on cotton crop.
Narang said that its product 'Oberon' was registered with the Central Insecticides Board and pesticide also went through 3-year multi-locational trials.
Besides, this product was approved by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) by its name for controlling whitefly attack.
Narang said that the company supplied pesticide to Punjab government after receiving "proper purchase order".
Bayer CropScience which is a major player in the state in the field of agro-chemicals, had supplied 92,000 litres of Oberon to Punjab government at a rate of Rs 3,556.80 per litre for controlling whitefly.
To a question on quality of pesticide, Narang claimed, "those farmers who sprayed Oberon as per our recommendations, they are harvesting bumper cotton crop and it is our biggest claim."
After extensive damage reported to cotton crop, Punjab government has withheld the payment of Rs 17 crore, out of Rs 33 crore worth of Oberon insecticide purchased from Bayer.
Opposition party Congress had alleged that "spurious" pesticides were supplied to farmers by Punjab government which failed in controlling pest attack, causing massive damage to cotton crop.
Congress had also claimed that Oberon pesticide to control whitefly attack on cotton crop was bought at much higher rate than the prevailing market rate to make money.
The opposition party had claimed that as against price of Rs 3,150 per litre in the market, Oberon insecticide was bought at rate of Rs 3,556. 80 per litre by Punjab government.
