Farmers complain of less fertilizer in 50kg bags

RAJKOT: Farmers complained about irregularities in quantity of fertilizer bags at the Jetpur depot of Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemical Limited (GSFC).
Many found the weight of di-ammounium phosphate (DAP) to be less. The issue came to light after Chandan Bhuva, a farmer from Navagadh village near Jetpur, found the weight of few bags (each of 50kg) was 400gm-700gm less. The price of a 50kg bag is Rs 1,450.
Pal Ambalia, chairman of Gujarat Kisan Congress who reached Jeptur depot said, “The fertilizer is subsidized by government. We have found this disparity in the depot run by GATL, a 100% subsidiary of GSFC.”
GSFC admitted to the disparity and said that an internal inquiry has been initiated.
“A shortage of up to 400 grams was found in few fertilizer bags sold from GSFC’s Jetpur depot. GSFC dispatches fertilizer bags with proper weight, which is done on the automatic weighing machines. However an internal enquiry is set up for ascertaining the reason of the shortage found in a few bags sold from depots.”
The company said it is also making immediate arrangement for installation of weighing machine at each depot so that farmers can procure fertilizer after ensuring weight of bags.