Amid ongoing irregularities in the distribution of urea and DAP fertilisers, farmers in Jabalpur district are facing severe hardships, with many forced to stay overnight at fertiliser distribution centers. Constant changes in distribution rules by the district administration have further worsened the situation. Under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) Shahpura Tehsil, hundreds of farmers staged a protest at the mandi fertilizer center, on Monday. A memorandum was submitted to the Tehsildar for the Chief Minister, demanding a streamlined distribution system and an extension of moong slot booking and procurement deadlines.

 

BKS State General Secretary Prahlad Singh Patel levelled serious charges of corruption on officers, questioning how urea is easily available in the open market for Rs 400 while farmers struggle at official centers. He claimed officials are merely pretending to take action while facilitating black marketing. Tehsil President Virendra Sahu shared a video of Suresh Agrawal, a farmer from Pavla with three acres of land, who attempted suicide over being unable to get just three bags of urea for over 45 days. He was dissuaded and sent home safely. To combat corruption, BKS National Media Head Raghvendra Singh Patel launched WhatsApp number 9926260026, urging farmers to record and send evidence of black marketing. District President Ramdas Patel warned of a mass protest at the district headquarters and said farmers would surrender their agricultural tools if the fertilizer crisis persists. Several senior BKS leaders and hundreds of farmers were present during the protest.