A Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Agriculture Department has reconstituted the committees, making it mandatory for them to conduct field inspections within a week of receiving a complaint and submit a final report.
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“Ensuring the availability of quality agricultural inputs to farmers is the state’s top priority and the revised mechanism is aimed at providing quick justice to farmers during the ongoing Kharif season. Complaints are often received regarding poor seed germination and the quality of fertilisers and pesticides,” Bharane said.
Under the revised structure, the committee will be headed by the Taluka Agriculture Officer and include representatives from an agricultural university, agricultural research centre or Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mahabeej, and other agriculture department officials to ensure technically sound and objective inspections.
Bharane said representatives of the concerned company and the retailer will be required to remain present during the inspection. Purchase receipts submitted by farmers will be verified, a panchnama prepared in the prescribed format, and samples from the concerned seed lot will be sent to a notified laboratory for testing.
“This will ensure impartial inquiry into complaints and facilitate action against erring manufacturers or dealers as per the rules. Additional grievance redressal committees can be constituted if complaints in a taluka exceed 100,” he added.Read more: Maharashtra’s agri AI policy will revolutionise farm sector: Minister Dattatreya Bharane
District Superintending Agriculture Officers have been directed to immediately form additional panels wherever necessary, the minister said.
“The Agriculture Department will closely monitor the quality of agricultural inputs, ensure timely disposal of every complaint and initiate strict action against manufacturers or dealers found supplying substandard products,” Bharane said.