HYDERABAD, NOV.15. The Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld the Guntur District Forum's order compensating a farmer following crop damage due to pests/diseases because of the low quality jowar seed supplied by a firm.

In their ruling, I. Venkatanarayana, president, and M. Shreesha, member, has stated that though they agreed with the amount awarded with respect to crop loss, the interest awarded was on the high side. They reduced the interest awarded from 18 per cent to 9 per cent while confirming the other aspects of the district forum's order.

The commission allowed the appeal of the farmer, Parchuri Narayana of Pamulapadu village (Tadikonda mandal), against the Jalna-based Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd, represented by Balaji Seeds, Guntur, which sold the hybrid seed.

`Total crop loss'

In his complaint, he contended that companies had claimed the yield would be 80 quintals per hectare, whereas the actual crop was less than five quintals. But on account of low quality seed he had sustained total loss of crop. Narayana had sought Rs. 1.2 lakhs as compensation for the crop loss and Rs. 48,920 as cost of seed/agricultural expenses.

Although the company remained ex-parte, its Guntur representative claimed that the seed was of high quality and that the crop withered on account of the farmer's failure to take care/precautions.

The advocate-commissioner appointed by the district forum reported that there was total failure of the crop. The Guntur firm objected to the report. The district forum had concluded that there was deficiency of service by the firms and directed them to pay Rs. 62,400 as compensation for crop loss, with 18 per cent interest, besides costs.

..Hindu