Sangli: A team from the Department of Agriculture raided a warehouse in Islampur trying to sell fake seeds in the market during planting season and seized 23 lakh 50 thousand fake soybean seeds. The seeds were being sealed in a 25kg bag called Garuda Seeds. A case has been registered against the owner of the company, Pranab Hasbanis, at the police station.

The Department of Agriculture has designated teams to prevent farmers from fraud in selling seeds and fertilizers during the planting season. The squad raided the warehouse of the seed company Garud Seeds in Uran Islampur on Tuesday. At this time, the seeds of the soybean variety KDA 726 were being packed in 25 kg bags. The warehouse owner who was present at the time could not be reached for comment. In addition, there were no receipts for the purchase of soybeans for seed production. As a result, the seeds were confiscated and sealed on suspicion of being fake.

The warehouse received 523 bags per 25 kg with a market value of Rs 23.53 lakh. Seed samples have been taken for analysis and will be sent to the laboratory. A case against Pranab Govind Hasbanis has been registered at the Islampur Police Station. Agriculture officer Sanjay Buwa has filed a complaint in this regard. Along with Buwa, Taluka Agriculture Officer Bhagwanrao Mane, Technical Officer Banda Kumbhar, Surendra Patil and Swapnil Mane participated in the operation.