The PGS-India guidelines include a catalogue of sanctions for three levels: farmers, Local Groups and Regional Councils. This episode sets out who sanctions whom, the sanctions a Regional Council can give a group, how to record and follow up a non-compliance, and how appeals work.
The short version
- Three levels: the group sanctions farmers, the RC sanctions groups, the Secretariat sanctions RCs.
- Minor problems bring a warning; major ones can withhold or deny certification.
- Record the finding, the rule, the action and the deadline.
- A group can appeal to its Zonal Council within 2 weeks.
Who Sanctions Whom
The Local Group sanctions its farmers, the Regional Council sanctions groups, and the PGS Secretariat sanctions RCs.
Local Group sanctions farmers
From a verbal warning, to suspension, to a ban from PGS membership for fraud.
Regional Council sanctions groups
For repeated non-compliance or violations by the group as a whole.
PGS Secretariat sanctions RCs
From a warning, to a ban on registering new groups, to suspension of authorisation.
Sanctions an RC Can Give a Group
Minor problems bring a warning and advice; major ones can withhold, return or deny certification, and serious ones can end the group.
| Situation | Sanction (summarised from the RC catalogue) |
|---|---|
| Incomplete documents; missed meetings or training; late appraisal, summary sheet or upload | Minor: warning and advice for the future |
| Violations found, and the group not taking corrective measures | Major: withhold approval, return the decision until corrected |
| Repeated non-compliance; not responding to advice | Major: deny endorsement, short suspension, or withhold transaction certificates |
| Members violating standards with no action by the group; decisions forwarded with incomplete appraisals | Major: return the decision and deny endorsement |
| Repeated violations, obvious fraud, refusing information, or a positive residue test | Certification denied or withdrawn, the group downgraded, produce deleted from the website, or the group terminated |
| No peer appraisal reported for more than 12 months | Status downgraded to the start of conversion, with physical inspection within 6 months of the next appraisal |
Recording and Following Up
Write down what was found, which rule it breaks, what the group must do, and by when; check it was done before the next decision.
- Record the finding.Date, farmer or group, what was seen, the rule it breaks, and the evidence.
- Tell the group in writing.The corrective action needed, and a clear deadline.
- Check the correction.Through documents or a visit, before the group's next decision.
- Close or escalate.Close the finding when corrected; apply the next sanction when it is not.
Portal screens for recording non-compliance can change. Keep your own register as well, so the history is never lost.
Appeals
Each level can appeal within 2 weeks: farmers to the RC, groups to the Zonal Council, RCs to PGS-NEC.
- Farmer against a group sanction: to the Regional Council, within 2 weeks of notification.
- Group against an RC sanction: to the Zonal Council, within 2 weeks. If the Zonal Council does not respond in 15 days, the group can approach the PGS Secretariat.
- RC against a Secretariat sanction: to PGS-NEC, within 2 weeks, and then to PGS-NAC if still not satisfied.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.
A group keeps missing its quarterly meetings. What is the first sanction?
- Termination
- A warning and advice
- Deleting its produce
Incomplete documentation and missed meetings are minor, with a warning first.
Where does a group appeal against an RC's sanction?
- The Zonal Council, within 2 weeks
- The High Court
- The farmer
If the Zonal Council does not respond in 15 days, the group can approach the PGS Secretariat.
Remember these things
- Know who sanctions whom.
- Match the sanction to the situation.
- Record, follow up, close or escalate.
- Appeals run within 2 weeks.
A clear, recorded sanction process is fair to groups and protects the RC. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.