Tame hoarders, Home Ministry tells states

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 8

In a bid to ensure smooth supply of food items and discourage hoarding and sale on the black market, the Centre today shot off a letter to the states and Union Territories advising them to invoke provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

In the letter, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has asked chief secretaries of states and UTs “to take urgent steps to ensure availability of essential goods by invoking provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955”.

This is a follow-up action on the part of the government, as Home Minister Amit Shah during a review meeting yesterday had asked officials to take “swift and quick” action against those indulging in hoarding.

The measures adopted will include fixing of stock limits, capping of prices, enhancing production and inspection of accounts of dealers.

“There is a possibility of hoarding and black-marketing, resulting in rise of prices of essential goods,” Bhalla said in the letter.

Rs 3K crore given to workers

The MHA has said Rs 3,000 crore has been distributed among 2 crore registered construction workers till now. “In 31 states/UTs, cash benefits have been announced for registered construction workers under Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Cess Fund,” an MHA official said.