Inferior seeds to be replaced

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 9 DEC: Confirming through an inquiry that wheat seeds earlier supplied for sowing in Malda were of inferior quality, the State Seed Corporation has started replacing the affected seeds with fresh batches. According to agriculture department officials here, farmers of Kaliachak and English Bazaar blocks have been supplied with fresh seeds and the exercise would continue in other parts of the district.The secretary, agriculture department, Mr S Chopra had asked the managing director, SSC Mr K Sarkar to conduct an inquiry into the matter after Malda Zilla Parishad sabhadipati Mrs Sabina Yeasmin raised voice on the issue last week.According to agriculture department officials in Malda, the SSC has replaced the inferior wheat seeds in Kaliachak-I block on Monday and in English Bazaar on Tuesday. “The rest of the blocks would also be covered soon,” they informed.The deputy director, Malda, agriculture department, Mr S Palit claimed that the replacement process would be complete by 12 December in the district. “While the affected wheat seeds are being replaced, the black spotted paddy seeds distributed are yet to be replaced. Fresh paddy seeds are yet to reach here from Kolkata,” Mr Palit informed. The problem, according to Mr Palit is strange. “While some farmers in Chanchal sub-division got good results using wheat seeds of the same batch, others did not. And now we are stopping distribution of seeds after inferior quality seeds were detected and the MZP sabhadhipati lodged complaint on the matter with the top officials. The seeds would be replaced. We are awaiting replacement from Kolkata,” he said.Speaking on the matter, the Chanchal sub-divisional officer, Mr Subho Mukherjee, said: “Wheat seeds had been distributed in Ratua-II block but paddy seeds had been partly distributed in the region. I learnt of the problem from the BDOs at a coordination meeting on 7 December. I have sent the report to my higher authorities,” the SDO said.