By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: Up in the arms against black marketing of urea the agitated farmers on Sunday paralysed movement of traffic on road for hours near Narga chowk in Nathnagar area of city.
By burning tyres on road, farmers registered protest. The protesting farmers mostly alleged that urea fertiliser is being sold by local dealers at much higher rate than rate specified under Pradhan Mantri Kissan Samridhi Yojana.
They alleged provisions of the scheme make them eligible to purchase a 45-kilogram bag of urea at maximum retail price of Rs 266 by showing Aadhaar card. However, they are being forced to pay between Rs 500 to Rs 600 for a bag of urea by fertiliser dealers.
Some protesting farmers said though they are being charged much higher than specified rate however they are given receipt of Rs 266 against purchase. The protestors alleged concerned officials despite aware about black marketing of urea have done nothing so far to stop the malpractice.
They said small and marginal farmers are worst hit due to unchecked black marketing of urea. Following assurance by block agriculture officer, Nathnagar that their allegation would be enquired and it would be ensured farmers get urea at specified rate, the road blockade was withdrawn by protestors.
