Kupwara, Sep 4: Authorities conducted a surprise inspection of fertilizer wholesalers and retailers across Handwara market on Friday as part of a regulatory drive to check the availability and quality of agricultural inputs.

The inspection was led by Director Law Enforcement Kashmir Sardar Balbir Singh and included senior officials from the department along with law enforcement inspectors and technical staff from Baramulla and Kupwara.
During the inspections, officials examined business records and permissions maintained by fertilizer dealers, besides checking statutory documents and product test-analysis reports.
The team also compared the fertilizer quantities recorded through Point of Sale (POS) machines with stocks physically available at the inspected premises.
Officials carried out the verification under the provisions of the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, with the exercise focused on identifying discrepancies in recorded and physical stocks.
The department said the inspection was intended to promote transparency in the fertilizer supply chain and prevent practices such as hoarding and black marketing.
The drive also sought to ensure that farmers receive quality agricultural inputs at prices in line with applicable regulations.
Officials said violations detected during the inspection would invite action under the law.