50 Task Force teams set up last month conducted raids in districts from March 29 to April 9
The Task Force teams comprising officials from the agriculture and police departments and seed certification and development agencies have seized over seven tonnes of spurious and illegal hybrid cotton seed with herbicide tolerant trait worth ?13.15 crore during the raids conducted in districts from March 29 to April 9.
In all, the 50 Task Force teams set up last month have conducted raids/inspections on 1,860 seed shops besides seed processing plants and godowns.
The reports submitted by the teams were reviewed at a meeting held here on Tuesday by Principal Secretary (Agriculture) C. Parthasarathi and Inspector General of Police Y. Nagi Reddy.
According to officials, the teams have arrested 31 persons for and registered cases under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code against 6 persons following the detection of spurious seed during the raids. In all, they have seized 4,283 kg of expired herbicide tolerant (HT) cotton seed worth ?3.32 crore and over 2,842 kg (6,317 packets of 450 grams each) of spurious HT cotton seed worth ?9.83 crore.
Besides, the Task Force teams have also issued show cause notices to Narmadasagar, Karthiyan Agri-Genetics, Kohinoor Seeds and Vibha Agro-tech seed companies.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nagi Reddy said cases under the provisions of the IPC and Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act would be registered against those indulging in spurious and illegal seed to minimise loss to the farming community.
Commissioner of Agriculture M. Jaganmohan, Director of Telangana State Seed and Organic Certification Authority K. Keshavulu, Director of Horticulture L. Venkatram Reddy and others also participated in the review.

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