AP trader booked for selling spurious seeds

Nagarkurnool: The Vigilance and Enforcement officials during a surprise raid on the house of a businessman from Andhra Pradesh found spurious seeds worth Rs 22 lakh stocked at his house in Kalwakurthy mandal of Nagarkurnool district on Tuesday.

According to Bireddy Sangareddy, Nagarkurnool District Agriculture Officer, the said businessman from Andhra had stocked the spurious seeds of different crops like cotton, paddy, pulses and others in large quantities and was distribution to various outlets in Kalwakurthy, Nagarkurnool and surrounding towns and villages.

"Based on a tip off, we raided the house of an Andhra trader who has been in the business of selling spurious seeds to the farmers for the last many years. During our investigation, we found that the trader is a well-established spurious seed manufacturer who has been doing business without any suspicion for the last many years.

However, up on receiving a complaint, we formed a team with the help of local officials and conducted raids at the rented house and found spurious seeds of various crops worth Rs 22 lakhs. We have registered a case and launched further investigation to find out the others involved in the case and supporting the illegal business," informed the Nagarkurnool Agriculture Officer.

The official said after completion of the inquiry, a detailed report would be prepared and would be sent to the concerned higher authorities and would accordingly initiate legal action and punish the culprits for selling spurious seeds to gullible farmers.