Government Intensifies Crackdown on Fertilizer Hoarding and Black Marketing; Over 6,900 Licenses Cancelled to Safeguard Farmers' Interests

• Department of Fertilizers (Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers) has intensified enforcement against hoarding, diversion and black marketing, with >6,900 dealer licences cancelled/suspended since April 2025.
• Action taken under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 read with Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO) — State Governments are the executing authority.
• Parallel continuation of the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme for P&K fertilizers (operational since 1 April 2010) keeps the topic relevant for GS-III (Agriculture, Subsidies, PDS).