Raipur. Amid the annual queues for fertilizer, allegations of black marketing, and farmers' problems, the government has taken a major step. Now, the entire fertilizer sales process at private fertilizer shops in Chhattisgarh will be captured on camera.

The Directorate of Agriculture has issued an order to launch a "Fertilizer Sales Vigilance Campaign" across the state from July 1 to August 30. This means that officials will now be present in person at the stores and will record daily video recordings of everything from stock to sales.

Shops that have previously received complaints of black marketing or irregularities will be videotaped, not just for 2-3 minutes, but the entire day's sales process. The video will also require recording the date, time, and name of the shop so that it can be used as evidence if needed.

This government decision has also raised a significant question: if the system was completely transparent, why were cameras needed? In fact, complaints of urea and DAP shortages, overpricing, and forced sales of other products have consistently surfaced every Kharif season.

Now, every shop will be required to display stock and MRP boards. Farmers will only receive fertilizers through Aadhaar-based PoS machines, and providing bills will be mandatory. The forced tagging of zinc or other products with urea has also been banned.

The government has also deployed flying squad teams. Surprise inspections will be conducted daily, and if any official or vendor is found complicit, an FIR will be filed and licenses may even be revoked.