400 bags of banned HTBT cotton seeds seized in Yavatmal

Yavatmal: The agriculture department and local crime branch seized 400 bags of banned HTBT cotton seeds, with estimated market value of Rs3.60 lakh, in Yavatmal district. Three youths, who were attempting to sell the seeds on Dhamangaon Road in Yavatmal on Sunday, were arrested. The seeds were branded as ‘Platinum 5G'. Two four-wheelers and three mobile phones worth Rs16.40 lakh were confiscated, taking the total value of seized property to ₹20.04 lakh.The accused have been identified as Santosh Thakre (resident of Chandur Railway, Amravati district), Nikhil Langde (resident of Arvi, Wardha district), and Satish Thakre (resident of Amravati). All three have been arrested in connection with the case.A case has been registered at Yavatmal Police Station based on a complaint filed by agriculture officer (Quality Control) Premnath Ade. Case was registered under various provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966, Environment Protection Act, 1986, Cotton Seeds Act, 2009, and Essential Commodities Act, 1955.The operation was carried out under the guidance of 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. The raid was executed by district quality control inspectors Dhiraj Mohekar, Pravin Jadhav and their team.Authorities have urged farmers to avoid purchasing illegal or banned seeds.