The Cooperative Department has suspended Budhadeb Sahu, Secretary of the Kirmira Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS), for illegally selling urea.
The action follows a joint raid conducted by the Tehsildar, District Agriculture Officer, Block Agriculture Officer, and Fertilizer Inspector after receiving complaints from local farmers.
Sahu was caught red-handed while loading 26 bags of urea onto a pickup van for unauthorized sale. Following the raid, an FIR was registered, and the Cooperative Department issued a suspension order. His headquarters has been fixed at the Sambalpur Central Cooperative Bank’s Laikera branch, and he is barred from leaving the premises without prior permission until further notice.
The Odisha government has intensified enforcement across the state to curb fertilizer black marketing. Officials have been directed to take immediate action against any irregularities. Enforcement teams are actively conducting surprise inspections to ensure fertilizers reach farmers at fair prices.
The government reiterated its commitment to farmers’ welfare, emphasizing that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the availability of fertilizers at subsidized rates. The crackdown is part of a broader campaign to maintain transparency and accountability in agricultural supply chains.
