64% of Fertiliser Inspector posts vacant in Madhya Pradesh

The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers examined the implementation of the Fertiliser (Movement Control) Order, 1973, to assess how effectively the government prevents the illegal diversion of fertilizers and ensures they reach designated agricultural destinations as per central allocation policies.

Who it concerns: This concerns the Department of Fertilisers, state governments responsible for enforcement, and the general public, particularly farmers and consumers who rely on the regulated distribution of fertilizers.

What the committee found

• The Committee recommended a comprehensive, time-bound review of the 1973 Order to align it with digital enforcement frameworks, strengthen penalties, and clarify central-state responsibilities.
• The Committee recommended the Department of Fertilisers prescribe a standardized Operating Procedure (SOP) for inspections, movement checks, verification via iFMS, seizure, and prosecution to reduce state-wise disparities.
• The Committee recommended filling critical vacancies in the fertiliser inspectorate in states with vacancy rates exceeding 30% and linking annual allocation reviews to enforcement capacity assessments.
• The Committee recommended integrating a repeat violator registry into the Integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS) and examining measures for expeditious disposal of pending criminal cases.
• The Committee recommended establishing formal information sharing mechanisms with neighboring countries to address cross-border smuggling to Nepal and Myanmar.
• The Committee recommended formulating a strategic reserve and contingency protocol for fertilizers to prepare for supply disruptions, noting the absence of a formal buffer stock policy.
• The Committee recommended establishing a real-time monitoring mechanism and mandatory registration of industrial users to prevent the large-scale diversion of neem-coated urea for industrial use.

Also in the document

• In Madhya Pradesh, 64% of Fertiliser Inspector posts were vacant.
• The Committee observed that monetary penalties in several states were disproportionately low compared to the economic gains from illegal diversion, or were not imposed at all.
• The Committee noted a large gap between the number of inspections/violations and the number of convictions, with criminal proceedings remaining pending for years.
• The Committee observed that neem coating on urea has not proved an adequate safeguard against industrial diversion.