Pune, 20th June 2026: The Agriculture Department has intensified its action against black marketing and hoarding of fertilisers in Pune Division. During inspections conducted up to April 2026, authorities suspended 107 fertiliser sale licences, cancelled six licences and registered seven criminal cases against dealers found violating rules.
As part of a special inspection drive, officials checked fertiliser sales centers across Pune, Ahilyanagar and Solapur districts. A total of 2,576 licensed outlets were inspected, revealing 281 cases of irregularities. Show-cause notices were issued to 277 centres for suspected violations.
In Pune district, 650 fertiliser outlets were inspected and irregularities were found in 71 cases. As a result, 27 licences were suspended. In Ahilyanagar, inspections were carried out at 812 centres, leading to the suspension of 16 licences, cancellation of two licences and registration of three criminal cases.
Solapur recorded the highest number of inspections, with 1,129 centres checked. Fertiliser samples from 18 outlets were found to be substandard. Authorities suspended 64 licences, cancelled four licences and filed four criminal cases against dealers.
The department has also inspected 42 industrial units to prevent the misuse of subsidised urea for non-agricultural purposes. Divisional Joint Director of Agriculture Babasaheb Jejurkar said strict action would continue against dealers involved in black marketing, artificial shortages, hoarding and overpricing of fertilisers.
Farmers have been advised to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers and report any complaints to the nearest Agriculture Department office.