Rajshahi: A mobile court has seized 129 sacks of fertilizer hoarded irregularly at a farmer's house in Paba upazila of the district. The drive was conducted this noon in the Mandolpara area of Bargachhi Union of the upazila. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Ibnul Abedin led the mobile court.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the drive, 48 sacks of MOP (Muriate of Potash) and 81 sacks of TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) fertilizer were recovered from the godown of one Mamununnabi Milan's house. He was fined Taka 5,000 on charges of stockpiling excessive fertilizer in violation of rules. Later, the 129 sacks of seized fertilizer were sold among the local farmers at the government-fixed price.
During the drive, UNO Md. Ibnul Abedin said the warehouses and sales centers of regular dealers are being monitored to ensure the supply of fertilizer in Paba upazila according to the demand of farmers. Strict action will be taken against anyone who illegally hoards fertilizer to create an artificial crisis or harasses farmers, he said, adding, "The upazila administration's monitoring will continue to keep the supply of fertilizer normal for farmers."
Paba Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, Paba Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Matin, Upazila Agricultural Extension Officers Abdur Razzak and Md. Raihan Uddin, and Upasahaykari Plant Protection Officer Hafizur Rahman were present during the drive.
Monitoring and drives will continue at dealers' warehouses, sales centers, and various places to keep the supply of fertilizer normal for farmers and to prevent illegal hoarding, the upazila administration said.