The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Imphal West has, on August 17, issued notice to the proprietor of HP Singh Stockist, Paona Bazar for selling fake pesticide Val-Premium to a farmer.
HP Singh Stockist stocks and sells products such as Plant Production Chemicals, Agri Implementation Horticulture Tools and Seeds.
The commission registered a consumer case for adjudication under section 35 of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and has asked the proprietor to reply to the notice by September 19.
The district commission registered the consumer case following a complaint lodged by a farmer, Leiphrakpam Ranjit of Moidangpokpi Khunou Awang Leikai, Imphal West district, that on July 7 he purchased a pesticide, namely Val-Premium, from HP Singh Stockist located at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai for his field as the crops in the field were infected.
The farmer (complainant) alleged the Val-Premium was ineffective and did not cure the infections. Unsatisfied, the farmer enquired about any other pesticides to cure the infection of his paddy and was sold pesticide Val-Xtra by Eastern Agro and Chemical located at Uripok Panchi Maning which had better results than the Val-Premium.
The farmer alleged that Val-Premium was fake, using unauthorised patent of Val-Xtra in order to attract the confidence and trust of the farmers.
The farmer also stated that while he went to purchase Val-Xtra at HP Singh Stockist on July 7, the stockist informed the farmer that Val-Premium has the same composition as Val-Xtra and sold Val-Premium to the farmer.
The district commission, after hearing the submission, found reasonable ground for admitting the case for adjudication and registered the case.