The Department of Fertilizers has performed more than 3.17 lakh inspections nationwide during the 2025-26 Kharif and ongoing Rabi seasons to combat black marketing, hoarding, and the diversion of fertilizers during this critical agricultural period. Authorities have issued 5,119 show-cause notices related to black marketing, 667 for hoarding, and 2,991 concerning the diversion of subsidized fertilizers, according to an official statement. This enforcement initiative, taking place from April to November, was coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare alongside state governments. The anti-hoarding campaign resulted in 202 license suspensions or cancellations and 37 FIRs, while actions against diversion led to 451 licenses being canceled or suspended and 92 FIRs filed.
Uttar Pradesh led enforcement efforts with 28,273 inspections and 1,957 show-cause notices for black marketing. The state also canceled or suspended 2,730 licenses and filed 157 FIRs. Maharashtra conducted 42,566 inspections, causing over 1,000 license cancellations for diversion-related offenses. Rajasthan performed 11,253 inspections with significant actions taken across various categories, while Bihar executed nearly 14,000 inspections, leading to more than 500 license suspensions. Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat also showed strong enforcement through extensive inspection teams, diligent monitoring, and prompt legal actions. In a related effort against substandard fertilizers, enforcement teams issued 3,544 show-cause notices, resulting in 1,316 license cancellations or suspensions and 60 FIRs under the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985.
Regular sampling and thorough testing were implemented at various levels to remove substandard materials from the supply chain. State authorities utilized digital dashboards and coordinated resource deployment to ensure real-time monitoring of stock movements, swift redirection of seized or hoarded fertilizers to cooperative societies, and quick responses to farmer complaints. All enforcement actions were conducted under the Essential Commodities Act and the Fertilizer Control Order to guarantee strict compliance and accountability.
