The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a probe into the alleged scam of farmers being forced to pay more for fertilizers from state government agencies. At least 96,000 metric tonnes of single super phosphate fertilizer have been sold for between Rs 300 and Rs 333 per 50 kg through state agencies, while the rate in the open market was Rs 270 to Rs 280 per 50 kg, reports Times of India.
Madhya Pradesh co-operatives and farmer welfare minister has said the illegal money recovered from fertiliser companies will be merged with funds to subsidize farmers. The money will be also ploughed into welfare activities as identification of every farmer will be difficult, the minister said.
Official records show at least 96,495 metric tonnes of single super phosphate was sold through the Madhya Pradesh State Co-operative Marketing Federation (Markfed) and by co-operative societies at an inflated rate.