Strict Action Taken Against Fake Fertilizers and Malpractices to Protect Farmers

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has implemented strict measures under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to combat the manufacture and sale of fake fertilizers and to prevent malpractices like tagging and forceful selling. These actions aim to ensure the availability of quality fertilizers to farmers. Enforcement actions, including raids and FIRs, are monitored weekly, with significant activity reported since April 2025. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Regulation of Fertilizers:** * The Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order, 1985, administered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, strictly prohibits the manufacture or sale of non-standard fertilizers. * Fertilizers have been declared an Essential Commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. * **Enforcement and Penalties:** * State Governments are designated as enforcement authorities. * Violations can lead to license cancellation or suspension, and penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, which includes imprisonment from three months to seven years. * **Enforcement Statistics (Since April 2025):** * A total of 4,30,541 raids have been conducted. * 15,544 show-cause notices have been issued. * 6,620 licenses have been suspended or cancelled. * 794 FIRs have been registered against defaulters. * **Action Against Fake Fertilizers:** * While most States report no fake chemical fertilizer manufacturing by factories/companies in the last five years, some States have reported cases against persons/vendors. * Specific states have registered FIRs or taken action against manufacturers/vendors for fake or suspicious fertilizers, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest number of cases (36) in the last five years. * **Prevention of Tagging and Forceful Selling:** * State Governments are empowered to prevent any form of tagging or forceful selling of fertilizers. * The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) has issued instructions to fertilizer companies and State Governments to discourage the tagging of other products with subsidized fertilizers. **Impact Analysis** **Farmers** * **Impact:** Protected from the adverse effects of fake or substandard fertilizers, ensuring access to quality products. * **Action Required:** No direct action is required from farmers based on this document, as the measures are enforcement-oriented. **Fertilizer Companies and Manufacturers** * **Impact:** Face stringent legal action, including penalties, license suspension/cancellation, and imprisonment, for manufacturing or selling non-standard, fake, tagged, or forcefully sold fertilizers. * **Action Required:** Comply with the Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order, 1985, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Discourage the tagging of other products with subsidized fertilizers. **State Governments** * **Impact:** Empowered and responsible for enforcing regulations against fake fertilizers and malpractices, including conducting raids, issuing notices, cancelling licenses, and registering FIRs. * **Action Required:** Actively monitor enforcement, conduct raids, take action against violations, and prevent tagging and forceful selling of fertilizers. Submit enforcement reports to the Government of India. **Department of Fertilizers (DoF)** * **Impact:** Oversees the enforcement actions taken by States and issues instructions to ensure compliance and prevent malpractices. * **Action Required:** Continue issuing instructions to fertilizer companies and State Governments regarding the discouragement of tagging and forceful selling. Monitor weekly enforcement data.

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