In a significant crackdown, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), working alongside state authorities, has exposed and dismantled a large-scale racket involved in the illegal diversion and black-market sale of subsidised urea. This fertiliser was intended exclusively for the benefit of farmers.
Massive Seizure in Nelamangala Godowns
The operation led to the seizure of a staggering 1.9 lakh kilograms (190 metric tonnes) of illicitly stored urea. The fertiliser was discovered in godowns located at Gejjagadahalli hamlet in Nelamangala taluk, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Officials confirmed that the seized stock, with an estimated market value of Rs 84 lakh, was originally supplied in 45-kilogram bags.
Each of these bags carried a maximum retail price of Rs 266 for farmers, supported by a substantial Union government subsidy of Rs 2,054 per bag. This crucial agricultural input, meant to be distributed to cultivators through the official channels of the agriculture department, was systematically siphoned off.
Illegal Diversion and Repackaging for Profit
Investigations reveal that the racket involved a well-organised process of diversion, illegal storage, and repackaging. The subsidised urea was allegedly being smuggled out of its intended distribution chain and sold at heavily inflated prices in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
DRI officials stated that the scale of this illegal operation came to light following coordinated searches conducted in Tamil Nadu. These raids uncovered evidence pointing to the systematic and large-scale movement of subsidised fertiliser from Karnataka to unauthorised markets.
Cross-State Racket and Official Response
Providing further details, Karnataka's Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy indicated that the seized stock was part of a consignment being transported from Kerala to Chennai, with Karnataka serving as a transit route. This highlights the inter-state nature of the smuggling network.
The bust underscores a serious flaw in the monitoring of subsidised farm inputs, which are critical for India's food security. The illegal sale of these materials not only deprives genuine farmers of affordable resources but also distorts the market and causes significant revenue loss to the exchequer. Authorities are now delving deeper into the network to identify all individuals and entities involved in this lucrative scam.
