Teams to check black marketing, overpricing

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 8

The state has constituted special teams of the Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and the district administration to keep a check on black marketing, hoarding and price inflation.

A Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department spokesman said price capping of 25 essential commodities, including pulses, sugar, salt, wheat, flour, potatoes and onions, has been done by DCs. Every shopkeeper has been directed not to sell any product above the capped rate and display the rate list outside their shops. It should alsobe ensured that face masks and hand sanitisers should not be sold above MRP.

The spokesman said directions have also been issued to ensure adequate availability of mustard oil, pulses and other essential items and department officers were in regular contact with NAFED for the same. He said the supply and availability of all essential items was being ensured through wholesalers.

He said there was no shortage of LPG and gas agencies were ensuring doorstep delivery. Similarly, petrol and diesel were also available in sufficient volume. He said teams have conducted checks on 378 wholesale drug dealers and 5,197 retailers in the state. During checking, 277 challans and 13 criminal cases were registered due to irregularities.

Directions have been issued to open ration depots for longer duration for maximum distribution while ensuring social distancing. In Ambala, Bhiwani and Kurukshetra, ration was made available to consumers at doorstep.