Section 28 in Andhra Pradesh Cotton Seeds (Regulation of Supply, Distribution, Sale and Fixation of Sale Price) Rules, 2007
28. Procedure for handling field complaints lodged by the farmers.
(a)Complaints related to poor germination, variety specific susceptibility to bollworm and other pests and diseases as claimed by the seed producer for transgenic varieties, genetic impurity, non-adaptability of cotton seed shall be reported in writing in Form 'L' to the Seed inspectors.(b)In case of poor germination, the complaint should reach the concerned seed inspector within ten days after sowing, for susceptibility to pests and diseases against the claims of seed producers the complaint should reach immediately after noticing the incidence, in case of genetic impurity the complaint should reach within 15 days from the date of 50% flowering or at appropriate stage and in case of non-adaptability, the complaint should reach at appropriate stage of crop.(c)On receipt of the complaint, the seed inspector should inspect the complainant field and furnish the inspection report in Form 'M' (for germination complaints) or Form 'N' (for susceptibility to pests and disease) or Form 'O' (for complaints in respect of genetic impurity) or Form 'P' (for non-adaptability) to the Chairman, District level Committee constituted for the purpose.A District Level Committee shall be constituted for assessment and evaluation of crop losses sustained by the farmer due to poor germination or susceptibility to pests and diseases or genetic impurity or non-adaptability of cotton seed, with the following members:-Joint Director of Agriculture Convenor and Chairman of the Committee Scientist dealing with cotton crop Member Representative of the farmers MemberThe representative of the seed producer and the complainant farmer are to be invited at the time of field inspection and also for hearings of the Committee(d)The District Level Committee after examining the complaint and on the basis of field verification report of District Level Committee, shall decide the rate of compensation to the affected farmers after ascertaining the facts and finding the reasons attributed for inferiority in qualify of cotton seed, as indicated below, and issue the compensation order to seed producer in Form 'Q'.(i)The complaint related to poor germination shall be disposed off within two weeks from date of receipt of the complaint and in case of susceptibility to pests and diseases, genetic impurity and non-adaptability cases, it shall not be more than thirty days from the date of receipt of the complaint, (ii) If it is a case of germination failure due to defect in the seed and not case of poor soil condition, moisture stress and improper package of practises etc. the compensation shall be Rs. 350/-(rupees three hundred and fifty) per acre towards cultivation charges besides replacement of seed at free of cost or cash payment equal to the cost of the seed. The compensation so award shall be paid to the affected farmers within seven days from the date of decision of the District Level Committee.(iii)If it is a case of failure of required degree of resistance as per variety specific claim made by the seed producer, the compensation shall be paid based on additional expenditure incurred on plant protection measures and estimated crop losses due to failure of resistance to pests/ diseases. The compensation so awarded shall be paid to the affected farmers within thirty days from the date of decision of the District Level Committee.(iv)If it is a case of genetic impurity or non-adaptability, compensation shall be paid not less than the cost difference in yield of the crop in question and that normal yield of cotton crop in the locality. The compensation so awarded shall be paid to the affected farmers within thirty days from the date of decision of the District Level Committee.(v)In case of delayed payment, 24 percent interest shall be levied and wherever no payment is made, penalty shall be imposed as decided by the Controller.(vi)If any seed producer fails to comply with the award of the compensation as decided by the District Level Committee-or the decision of the appellate authority, the registering authority after giving an opportunity of being heard shall suspend/cancel the certificate of registration granted for sale of cotton seed of such seed producer.
