Baufal (Patuakhali) Correspondent

The Bauphal Upazila Agriculture Department of Patuakhali has sent farmers as 'buyers' to investigate allegations of selling fertilizer at a price higher than the government's fixed price. After receiving the truth of the allegations, a mobile court was conducted at the Baga Bandar Bazar in the upazila and three fertilizer sellers were fined a total of Tk 14,000.

The operation was conducted at the Baga Bandar Bazar in Baga Union of the upazila on Friday (August 28) morning. Among the organizations and individuals fined, Messrs. Akhin Enterprise was fined Tk 10,000, Messrs. Harun Store was fined Tk 2,000, and fertilizer seller Kabir Hossain was fined Tk 2,000.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, the Agriculture Department received complaints from local farmers about selling fertilizer at a price higher than the government-set price. To verify the complaint on the spot, three farmers were sent to buy fertilizer as general buyers. They bought fertilizer from three vendors at the Baga Bandar Market. At that time, evidence of selling fertilizer at a price higher than the set price was found.

After receiving the truth of the complaint, the upazila administration was informed about the matter. Later, a mobile court was conducted under the leadership of Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Sohag Milu. During the operation, three sellers were fined a total of Tk 14,000 for selling fertilizer at an excessive price.

At that time, Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Md. Milon and Union Parishad Panel Chairman Md. Jamal Hossain were present. According to the Agriculture Office sources, one of the three sellers who were fined is a BCIC fertilizer dealer and the other two are retail fertilizer sellers.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Md. Milon said, "Such campaigns are ongoing to ensure that farmers get fertilizer at a fair price. The Upazila Agriculture Office will continue to monitor and campaign to ensure that farmers are not harassed or overcharged in any way."

Local farmers say that when the demand for fertilizer increases during the agricultural season, some sellers try to take advantage of that opportunity to charge more than the fixed price. This results in additional costs for the farmers. In addition, the farmers' profits also decrease as the production costs increase.

Local farmers have demanded not only fines but also regular market supervision and strict monitoring to ensure the sale of fertilizer at the prescribed price in the interest of farmers.