SRINAGAR: The Agriculture Department of Kashmir has strongly refuted a recent story published by some newspapers in the Kashmir Valley regarding the alleged use of spurious fertilizers and pesticides.
The department stated that the report is baseless, fabricated, and not supported by any facts. It clarified that there is a fully operational enforcement wing in place to monitor the quality, quantity, and distribution of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Agriculture Department of Kashmir emphasized that it has no direct involvement in these enforcement activities.
In an official statement, the Director of Agriculture Kashmir clarified that the enforcement of the Insecticides Act of 1968 and the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985 falls under the jurisdiction of the Director of Law Enforcement, J&K, stationed at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and Jammu.
At the divisional level, these responsibilities are overseen by the Deputy Director of Law Enforcement, while at the district level, they are managed by the respective Law Enforcement Inspectors.
Furthermore, the department pointed out that the Director of Agriculture Jammu serves as the Controller of Fertilizers for J&K. The statement added that it is unfortunate and seemingly biased that the Agriculture Department of Kashmir has been unfairly implicated in issues related to horticulture and allied sectors. The department reiterated its commitment to bridging the gap between research and farming practices to ensure that farmers ultimately benefit.
Meanwhile, the Director of Agriculture Kashmir expressed disappointment over the unfounded allegations made against the department in the news report. The department labeled the story as baseless, false, and malicious, advising the newspapers in question to seek clarification before publishing unverified claims. The department stressed the importance of verifying information to prevent the spread of misinformation.
