A company linked to the family of Lalit Modi, a businessman frequently in the news in Rajasthan, has become embroiled in controversy. On Sunday, the state's Agriculture Minister, Kirodilal Meena, conducted a surprise raid, sealing a fertilizer manufacturing factory and associated warehouses near Kota district. Several suspicious samples were collected during the raid and are now undergoing laboratory analysis.
Significantly, the Agriculture Minister personally oversaw the operation, participating in the sampling and document examination alongside officials. He stated to the media, "I personally investigated the ownership of this factory and warehouse, and the facts uncovered are extremely shocking."
Raid Commencement
The Department of Fertilizers and Manures had received numerous complaints over several weeks regarding substandard fertilizers being stored in local warehouses and sold at inflated prices in the open market. Minister Meena, taking the matter seriously, ordered a confidential investigation into the implicated warehouses and factory. On Sunday, he personally led a surprise raid with a team of officials. The factory and warehouses are reportedly registered in the name of a company connected to Lalit Modi's family. Modi, a former IPL founder, is currently residing abroad.
Raid Findings
The raid uncovered large quantities of packaging material, bags with various brand names, and unmarked fertilizers within the factory premises. Warehouses contained over 500 tons of fertilizer lacking manufacturing dates and quality details. Officials collected 12 samples, which have been sent to a state laboratory in Jaipur. Preliminary assessments suggest the fertilizer is significantly substandard and its distribution could have harmed farmers.
Agriculture Minister's Statement
Agriculture Minister Kirodilal Meena stated: "This is not just a raid; it's the beginning of a fight against the deception of farmers. I have ordered a full investigation. The factory and warehouse have been immediately sealed. No material will be removed until the report arrives." He also added that if the deliberate distribution of substandard fertilizer is proven, an FIR will be filed against the company, and its license will be revoked.
Political Backlash
The opposition has termed the action a political stunt. A Congress spokesperson attributed the raid to internal BJP factionalism. The government maintains the action was entirely lawful and aimed solely at protecting farmers' interests. Local farmers supported the raid, stating that substandard fertilizer had been sold for months, causing significant crop damage. Farmer leader Hemraj Gurjar stated that had the government not acted promptly, the entire Kharif harvest would have been jeopardized.
The state government has formed a special investigation team comprising officials from the Agriculture Department, FCI, and Revenue Department. Following the arrival of the lab report next week, stringent action against those found guilty is anticipated.
