Rajasthan cracks down on fertilizer black market ahead of Rabi sowing: 24 FIRs, 118 licences suspended, 8,533 bags seized

The Rajasthan state administration intensified enforcement actions against the illegal fertilizer trade just before the start of the Rabi sowing period. Police and agricultural department officials carried out coordinated raids across the state, targeting dealers suspected of diverting subsidised fertilizer to the black market.

So far, 24 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against individuals and firms involved in the illicit trade. In addition, 118 licences authorising the sale of fertilizer have been either suspended or cancelled, and a total of 8,533 bags of contraband fertilizer have been confiscated.

The crackdown aims to curb the diversion of subsidised inputs, protect farmers from sub‑standard products and ensure that the government’s fertilizer subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries during the critical Rabi season. Officials indicated that further inspections are underway and that any additional violations will be dealt with under existing agricultural and criminal statutes.