Karnataka: Cardamom society served notice for irregularities in sale of pesticides

MADIKERI: The Kodagu Cardamom Cooperative Marketing Society Ltd in Somwarpet has been served a show-cause notice by the agriculture officers of Farmers' Liaison Centre for alleged violations of the rules of Pesticides Control Act, 1985, and Essential Commodities' Act, 1955. Agriculture officer Navya Nanaiah, who issued the notice to the fertiliser/ pesticide division of the society, has warned the officebearers of revoking the licence should they fail to comply with the rules within the next seven days.
The team from the liaison centre paid a surprise visit to the sales outlet of the society, where the officials found that the licence was not displayed where it could be seen by the public, which was in contravention of sections three and four of the Pesticides Act, which are concerned with display of inventory, and the price list. The other violation is the failure to record purchase of pesticide from various organisations. The absence of receipts for procurement of pesticides raised a flag among the officers. There is also no information on the name of farmers, and their addresses. The notice highlighted the failure on the part of the cardamom society to obtain the signatures of farmers.
Navya pointed to discrepancies in the inventory and the actual stock of pesticides. She added that the monthly inventory (business card) had not been sent, and the notice served to the society had sought clarification on all the irregularities. "The society has been asked to submit all documents, along with an application for the verification within seven days of the receipt of the notice. Failure to comply with the guidelines will result in the cancellation of the licence," Navya added.
However, the society has been operating under loss for the past few years. Last year, the society incurred a loss of Rs 8.7 lakh, while cumulatively over the past seven years, the society incurred Rs 26 lakh.