Amid the flood situation in the State, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak on Wednesday warned of stringent action against hoarders and black marketers.
He ordered for formation of special squads to prevent hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities in the flood-affected districts.
“Some traders and shopkeepers usually resort to hoarding and black marketing of vegetables and essential commodities during natural calamities like flood and cyclone. They create an artificial scarcity of essential commodities in the market and sell the same at high prices. The State Government has asked officials concerned to prevent such illegal practices amid the prevailing flood situation,” said sources from the Food Supplies Department.