Vigilance Bureau starts probing issue related to spurious seeds sold by Brar Seed Store

Ludhiana: Few days ago, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Punjab had conducted a raid on the premises of Brar Seed Store located opposite Gate No 1 of Punjab Agricultural University, here. The officials had confiscated seed samples, bill books and other documents, after which an FIR was registered by the Police. The Vigilance Bureau has now started investigating this matter and SSP VB Ludhiana Mr Rupinder Singh today held a meeting with Chief Agriculture Officer Mr Narinder Singh Benipal at his office, here.
    It is pertinent to mention that several farmers organisations were complaining that the owners of Brar Seed Store were selling spurious seeds to the farmers and that too at high rates. A farmer had also submitted a written complaint in this regard to the Deputy Commissioner stating that he was sold PR 128 seed at Rs 200 per kg.
    Following this complaint, the Deputy Commissioner had directed the Chief Agriculture Officer Ludhiana to take action in this regard and the team of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Punjab had conducted a raid and took samples of PR 128, 129 varieties, a large quantity of filled bill books and samples of all other seed varieties found in the shop. The Police also registered a case under section 420 of IPC.
    During the meeting, Mr Rupinder Singh deputed his department officials to investigate the matter thoroughly. He said that this particular seed of paddy can only be sold by Punjab Agricultural University and no private seed store can sell it.
    On this occasion, Mr Rupinder Singh also appealed to the farmers to not burn wheat straw as it leads to asthma problem amongst people that can make them fall prey to COVID 19. He said that strict action against any person burning wheat straw.
    It is pertinent to mention that the work on sowing kharif crops is going on in full swing and the farmers are purchasing paddy seeds. It is duty of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Punjab to provide good quality seeds to the farmers and is keeping a close watch on any person who tries to dupe farmers by selling spurious seeds.