Hoarders of essential items to face strict action: Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 25

Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala on Sunday wrote to Union Minister of Public Distribution and Food Piyush Goyal, urging the Centre to bring certain commodities under the Essential Commodities Act due to the Covid crisis.

He urged the government that oxygen, oxygen cylinders, remdesivir, tocilizumab, injectable anticoagulants such as enoxaparine etc should be included in the list of essential commodities for at least six months.

Dushyant strictly warned persons who are hoarding essential commodities and selling these at higher prices in the midst of the sensitive time of the pandemic.

Helpline numbers

Need life-saving drugs or want to report a person found selling oxygen cylinders on the black market?

Call 7087089947 or 1800-180-1314

Call centre set up

The state government has set up a 24-hour call centre-cum-helpline to monitor the oxygen supply to hospitals. The Civil Surgeons will receive a call twice a day to keep tabs on the availability and requirement of oxygen.

He said strict action would be taken against the violators and instructed the officials of the Food and Supplies Department to frequently monitor the availability and supply of the essential commodities.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, today took a review meeting of the departmental officers and gave the necessary guidelines.

Chautala reviewed the availability and pricing of essential commodities.