Sales of seed piles worth Rs.32.25 lakhs banned

Seed inspectors led by the Deputy Directors of Seed Inspection of Karur and Erode districts conducted a surprise inspection at seed sales outlets in Erode and Tiruppur districts.
A total of 45 seed sales outlets were inspected. Sales licenses, seed piles with differences between the seed stock in the inventory register and the actual stock, seed piles without registration certificates, seed piles not registered in the variety registration card as per the registration certificate, seed piles without germination report and seed piles where seeds were not stored properly were found to have violated the Seed Act.  The sale ban was imposed on 21 seed piles. The quantity of seed piles for which sale was banned was 4581 kg, and its value was Rs. 32.25 lakhs.  Further, during the inspection, 25 numbers of seed samples were taken from the seed piles kept for sale for germination and external purity analysis. During the inspection, it was advised that the seed sale license should be displayed in a visible place, the seed stock and seed description board should be maintained daily, the seed stock register and sales lists should be maintained properly daily, a registration certificate and germination report should be maintained for all seeds, and only seeds with updated registration certificates should be sold.  In a press release, Mrs. Sumathy, Deputy Director of Seed Inspection, Erode District, said that strict legal action will be taken against seed sales outlets found violating the rules under the Seeds Act 1966, the Seed Control Order 1983, the Seed Rules 1968 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.