Ahead of the festive season, Delhi Government has launched a special drive against hoarders to control prices of essential commodities. According to the Department of Food Supplies & Consumer Affairs, there is some upward trend in the prices of essential commodities during festive season.
“We are ensuring unscrupulous elements do not take advantage of the situation for unlawful gains. We have constituted 20 teams to conduct raids to check hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities,” Food Supplies & Consumer Affairs Commissioner Sajjan Singh Yadav said.
Yadav also said that each team will be headed by a young DANICS officer and other members of the team will include legal metrology officers and inspectors of the department.The department has also directed 70 food and supplies officers who are posted in different parts of the city to be vigilant and keep close watch on prices of essential commodities and stocking of the same.
“These 20 teams will be on the move throughout the day and inspect various wholesalers and retail establishments and check whether there is hoarding of essential commodities and will take strict action against the violators. The teams will also inspect various trade premises to check for any malpractices and cheating of consumers,” Yadav added.
The Commissioner also added that special emphasis will be on the hoarding of essential commodities, compliance of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011, and use of certified weights and measures as prescribed under the legal Metrology Act, 2009.
“Government has prescribed stock limit for various essential commodities like rice, pulses, edible oils, edible oilseeds etc under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Any hoarding of these essential commodities beyond the prescribed limit is liable to prosecution and on conviction may be imprisoned up to six years,” he further added.