400 Bags of Banned HTBT Cotton Seeds Seized in Yavatmal Authorities in Yavatmal district seized 400 bags of banned HTBT cotton seeds, valued at Rs3.60 lakh, during a raid on Dhamangaon Road. Three individuals attempting to sell the seeds were arrested, and additional items including two four-wheelers and three mobile phones worth Rs16.40 lakh were confiscated, bringing the total value of seized property to Rs20.04 lakh. The accused, identified as Santosh Thakre, Nikhil Langde, and Satish Thakre, hail from Amravati and Wardha districts. The operation was initiated following a complaint filed by agriculture officer Premnath Ade, who works in quality control. A case has been registered at Yavatmal Police Station under multiple legal provisions, including the Seeds Act, 1966; Environment Protection Act, 1986; Cotton Seeds Act, 2009; and Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Senior officials, including input and quality control director Sunil Borkar, divisional joint director of agriculture Ganesh Ghorpade, district superintendent agriculture officer Manojkumar Dhage, and agriculture development officer Lahudas Ade, oversaw the raid. District quality control inspectors Dhiraj Mohekar and Pravin Jadhav led the enforcement team. The banned seeds, branded as “Platinum 5G,” are prohibited due to their potential environmental and agricultural risks. Authorities have urged farmers to avoid purchasing illegal seeds, emphasizing the dangers of using unapproved agricultural products. The incident highlights ongoing efforts to combat the illegal trade of restricted seeds, which can undermine crop quality and ecological balance. The arrests and seizure underscore the government’s commitment to enforcing agricultural regulations.#yavatmal_district #dhamangaon_road #santosh_thakre #nikhil_langde #satish_thakre
