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Indian Express
09-08-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Why Punjab's seed dealers are concerned about the govt's move to make sale of spurious seeds a non-bailable offence
Days after the Punjab government gave its nod to introduce The Seeds Bill 2025 to make the sale of spurious seeds a non-bailable offence, seed dealers across the state have raised concerns about the move and submitted a memorandum to the Governor. The dealers have alleged that the Bill would unfairly target those who sell pre-sealed, certified seeds. Here is a look at the concerns of the state's seed dealers. The Bill essentially makes amendments to The Seeds Act, 1966, which regulates the quality of certain seeds for sale and matters related to it across the country, including in Punjab. The Bill seeks to amend Section 19 of the Act to increase the fine and penalty for selling spurious seeds. In an official statement, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, 'There has been no amendment to Section 19 of the Seeds Act 1966 since its inception due to which the fines and penalties have no deterrence… So the Cabinet gave its nod to enact a Bill to amend the Seeds Act and insert Section 19A for contravention of Section 7 of the Seeds Act, enhancing the fine and penalty, and making it cognizable and non-bailable.' According to the Bill, the first offence by a company will invite a punishment of one to two years and a fine of between Rs 5 and Rs 10 lakh, and a punishment of two to three years and a fine of between Rs 10 and Rs 50 lakh for a repeated offence. 'Similar misdeed by a dealer/person will invite a punishment of six months to one year and fine of Rs 1-5 lakh for the first offence and a term of 1 to 2 years and fine of Rs 5-10 lakh for repeated offence,' the statement said. For an individual or dealer, the punishment for the first offence will be six months to one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, while the term will be one to two years with a fine between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for repeat offences. Currently, the penalty stands at a mere Rs 500 for the first offence, and Rs 1,000 along with a prison term of up to six months for repeat offences. There are around 25,000 licensed seed dealers in Punjab, apart from government and semi-government bodies such as universities, cooperative societies, IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited), and KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd), which also sell seeds. Private dealers argue that they buy sealed, certified seeds from government-approved manufacturers or packagers, and sell these sealed packets directly to farmers without any tampering or repackaging. Therefore, they are not responsible for manufacturing, breeding, or certification of the seeds, according to seed dealers. Quality assurance is the responsibility of the seed producers, who could be companies, universities, government departments, and farmers (as big companies also engage farmers in their seed growing process), not the retailers, dealers have said. The outcome of the crop, they argue, also depends on weather, soil, human effort, and farming practices, not just the seed itself. Mohinder Singh, President of the Seed, Pesticides and Fertilisers Association, Punjab, told The Indian Express, 'When the seed is grown, its germination and DNA tests are conducted, after which the government's certification authority issues a certificate at the time of packaging. Then, a principal certificate is issued to the dealers for its sale, which is added to the seed dealers' license by officials of the Agriculture Department. This means that every seed that reaches a seed dealer is under the watch of the government. He also said, 'If there are any black sheep among us, they should be punished stringently, but the proposed amendment can be misused against honest dealers in general.' Seed dealers have also said that treating the sale of spurious seeds as a non-bailable offence would lead to harassment and arrests of dealers without evidence or inquiry. They argue that the provision can also be misused by competitors.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TOI Ecopreneur Honours 2025: IFFCO MD Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi calls for sustainable agriculture and youth action
At the TOI Ecopreneur Honours 2025 held on Monday, Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi, Managing Director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), emphasised the urgent need for sustainable agriculture and environmental responsibility. Speaking during his keynote address, Dr Awasthi urged India's youth and eco-entrepreneurs to lead the way in developing solutions that balance growth with environmental protection. 'The whole idea of saving the planet began when we realised that our own development was creating problems,' Dr Awasthi said. He noted that while development is necessary, it also increases the use of energy and natural resources, which causes damage to the environment. Dr Awasthi stressed that the time has come to correct this imbalance. He said that sustainable agriculture is one of the most pressing challenges for every country, including those in the Middle East, which are now also looking at eco-friendly farming methods. 'We don't need to change everything overnight. But we do need to move in the right direction. And things are slowly changing,' he said. He pointed to carbon dioxide emissions and methane from traditional chemical fertilisers, such as urea, as major contributors to environmental harm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo He highlighted the need to switch to alternatives like nano fertilisers, which have a smaller ecological impact. Calling eco-entrepreneurs 'much needed,' Dr Awasthi said, 'The patents and innovations by eco-preneurs must be protected. Their products and the money invested in them must not go to waste.' He also shared ideas for young entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, encouraging them to focus on long-term, sustainable development solutions. 'Profit and planet can and must co-exist': Prasad Sanyal The event opened with an address by Prasad Sanyal, Business Head of The Times of India (digital), who welcomed attendees and set the tone for the evening. He said the Ecopreneur Honours recognises those who are working quietly yet effectively in the field of sustainability. 'In today's noisy world, there are still places where people work with intent, sustainability,' Sanyal said. He pointed out that sustainability is no longer a side concern and that 'the new India is looking for meaning.' Sanyal added that the awards aim to honour individuals and organisations that have helped shape policy, promoted green growth, and taken real action against the climate crisis. 'Profit and planet can and must co-exist,' he said. He ended his speech by reminding everyone of the urgency of climate change. 'Climate crisis is today's lived reality,' Sanyal said, adding that in this context, 'recognition matters.' The TOI Ecopreneur Honours celebrates sustainability champions across India — from individuals to corporates — who are building a greener future.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IFFCO appoints KJ Patel as new managing director
Bhubaneswar: The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has announced appointment of KJ Patel as its new managing director. Patel, who was a part of IFFCO for nearly four decades, steps into the role with a rich background in cooperative management and a deep understanding of the organisation's mission. Patel's journey with IFFCO started in 1985 as a graduate engineer apprentice, and over the years, he held several senior leadership positions across various units. His tenure at the IFFCO Paradip Unit in Odisha is particularly noteworthy, where he served as unit head. Under his leadership, the unit saw significant improvements in operational efficiency, energy management, and plant modernisation, earning multiple accolades for sustainability and productivity. Expressing his gratitude to the IFFCO board and member cooperatives, Patel acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, US Awasthi, whose leadership was instrumental in establishing IFFCO as a global leader in the cooperative and fertiliser sectors. "It is a privilege and a profound responsibility to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Awasthi. IFFCO has always stood for the prosperity of the nation and Indian farmers, and I am committed to carrying that legacy forward with innovation, sustainability, and cooperative strength," Patel stated upon assuming his new role. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
News18
31-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Cooperative IFFCO appoints K J Patel as new MD
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) Cooperative major IFFCO has appointed K J Patel as its new Managing Director (MD) with former chief U S Awasthi's term ending on Thursday. IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani announced Patel as the new MD, the cooperative said in a statement. Patel, who was Director-Technical at IFFCO, holds a mechanical engineering degree from Saurashtra University and has a rich experience of more than 32 years in the maintenance of Nitrogenous & Phosphatic fertiliser plants. He was heading the IFFCO Paradeep Plant, the biggest complex fertiliser plant in India. 'Patel brings deep industry knowledge and, proven strategic thinking approach that aligns with the goals of IFFCO," Sanghani said. Further, he said the board is confident that Patel will steer IFFCO into a new era of innovation and value creation. Sanghani also thanked the outgoing MD US Awasthi for his invaluable contribution and dedication to IFFCO as well as farmers across the country. IFFCO posted a 16 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 2,823 crore and a 4.5 per cent growth in turnover to Rs 41,244 crore during the last fiscal on higher sales of conventional soil nutrients as well as nano liquid urea and nano liquid DAP. It had clocked a net profit of Rs 2,443 crore and turnover of Rs 39,474 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal. PTI MJH MJH DR DR (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 13:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IFFCO MD Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi retires after four decade of decisive leadership role
NEW DELHI: Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi will retire as managing director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on July 31, 2025, after reaching the age of 80. His retirement marks the end of a tenure spanning over four decades. Dr Awasthi, a chemical engineer from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), joined IFFCO in November 1976 and became managing director in 1993. During his time at IFFCO, he played a key role in expanding the cooperative's operations in India and abroad. He led IFFCO's international ventures, including partnerships in ICS Senegal, Oman, Jordan, and the UAE through Oman IFFCO Company (OMIFCO), Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO), and Kisan International Trading (KIT). Under his leadership, IFFCO entered sectors such as insurance through IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company, and crop protection through IFFCO-Mitsubishi Chemicals. IFFCO also launched initiatives like IFFCO Bazar for e-commerce, IFFDC in forestry and seed production, IFFCO Kisan Logistics Ltd. for transport, and IFFCO Kisan Suvidha and IFFCO Kisan Finance in Agri-tech and rural finance. Dr Awasthi promoted the use of nanotechnology in agriculture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Have No Words For Dog The Bounty Hunter's Transformation Life Style Chatter Undo He supported the establishment of the Nano-Biotechnology Research Centre in Kalol and IFFCO Nanoventions Pvt. Ltd. to develop products like Nano Urea Plus, Nano DAP, Nano Zinc, and Nano Copper. Nano Fertilizer Plants were set up in existing units in Kalol, Kandla, Aonla, Phulpur, and Paradeep, and new units were developed in Bengaluru, Deoghar, and Assam. He has received several awards, including the Rochdale Pioneers Award from the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), and was called the 'Fertiliser Man of India' by Shakar Bharati and Shri Dattatreya Hosbole. He also held positions in the International Fertiliser Association and the Fertiliser Association of India. In his farewell message, Dr Awasthi said, 'I sincerely thank the entire IFFCO family, encompassing our subsidiaries, joint ventures, and affiliates, as well as esteemed institutions such as the Fertilizer Association of India, the International Fertiliser Industry Association, and the International Cooperative Alliance, for being integral to my journey. Once again, I extend my deepest appreciation to all past and present Board members, RGB members, cooperative members, serving and retired employees of IFFCO along with their families, joint venture partners, technology suppliers, contractors, suppliers, and the farmers of India—indeed, all who have shaped this path, even if I cannot name each one here. ' IFFCO Chairman Shri Dileep Sanghani said, 'Awasthi ji has been profoundly immersed in the affairs of IFFCO and its expanding group companies, often at the expense of personal time with his family. We are delighted that he will now have the opportunity to cherish moments with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren. Nonetheless, we earnestly request his continued guidance for the new management, welcoming his invaluable advice at any time. ' IFFCO is ranked the world's No. 1 cooperative by the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM) with respect to its contribution to GDP, according to the report published by EURICSE and the International Cooperative Alliance. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
