HYDERABAD: In order to curb unauthorised sale and storage of seeds, the sleuths of Vigilance and Enforcement department conducted surprise raids on 81 seed processing plants and seed dealer outlets on Wednesday and seized stocks worth `16.64 crore.
A total of 32 cases were booked under 6(A) of the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Seed Act 1966 and one criminal case under IPC sections. The major seizures were in districts of Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad and Mahabubnagar which accounted for around `13 crore. The seed samples are now being dispatched to the laboratory for testing.
During the surprise raids, it was revealed that the firms or dealers were indulging in illegal sale and storage of seeds, non-maintenance of records along with stock variations and violations of provisions of Seed Act.