Pabna, Apr 16 (V7N) – A fertilizer production and processing company in Pabna has been penalized with a fine of Tk 100,000 following allegations of substituting granular chemicals with sand in their products.

"A company in Pabna has been fined Tk 100,000 for allegedly mixing sand instead of granular chemicals in fertilizer production and processing," reported a Pabna Correspondent.

The fine was imposed on Expert Agri Care Export and Import Limited during a raid conducted by the Bangladesh Council for Chemical Industries (BCK) in Pabna's Industrial City on Tuesday afternoon.

"The fine was collected from Expert Agri Care Export and Import Limited during a raid conducted by BCK in Pabna's Industrial City on Tuesday (April 15) afternoon," the report confirmed.

The operation was led by Mahmud Hasan Rony, Assistant Director of the Department of Consumer Rights Protection, with assistance from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police.

"Mahmud Hasan Rony, Assistant Director of the Department of Consumer Rights Protection, conducted the operation with the help of RAB," the correspondent noted.

Assistant Director Rony stated that his department had received allegations of sand and other adulterated products being used in place of essential chemicals in fertilizer production within the BSCIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) industrial area. Previous raids had been conducted based on this information. While the targeted institutions were found closed upon arrival in earlier instances, samples of sand mixed with fertilizers and manure were collected, and the facilities were sealed. Although the adulterating materials were not found during Tuesday's raid, the company reportedly confessed to mixing these substandard products, leading to the imposition of the fine.

"He said that there were allegations that sand and various adulterated products were used instead of the necessary chemicals and other necessary ingredients in the production or processing of fertilizers in some factories of BSCIC... Although the institutions were closed after receiving the information, we collected some samples of sand mixed with fertilizers and manure and sealed the institutions. Since the packets of all those ingredients were removed, even though we did not find them during the raid today, they confessed to mixing these adulterated products. Based on this, they have been fined," Assistant Director Rony explained.

The consumer protection official further revealed that the fertilizer was supposed to utilize a granular chemical identified as saccharin. However, due to its high cost, construction-grade sand was allegedly being used as a substitute. Additionally, there were accusations of excessive sand being mixed with the actual fertilizer and pesticides, indicating a deliberate act of deception. The report noted that upon news of the raid, everyone at the company fled. However, through the assistance of BSCIC, a subordinate of the company was contacted and subsequently fined Tk one lakh after providing a bond promising not to engage in such practices again.

"The consumer official said, 'Although the fertilizer was supposed to use a granular chemical called saccharin, due to its high price, sand used in construction was being used in the fertilizer. In addition, the fertilizer was being cheated by mixing sand in excess of the ratio of fertilizer and pesticides. Everyone in the company fled when they heard about the raid, but when they were contacted with the help of BSCIC, a subordinate of the company was sent and a fine of one lakh taka was collected for giving a bond saying that they would not do such work again,'" the report detailed.

This incident highlights the serious issue of adulteration in the agricultural sector and the efforts of consumer protection agencies to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure the quality of essential agricultural inputs. The fine serves as a warning to other companies against such fraudulent practices.

END/SRP/RH/