Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday warned of stern action against those involved in hoarding and profiteering of essential commodities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chief Minister was virtually interacting with the officers of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and HP State Civil Supplies Corporation from Shimla.
He said that the Department should ensure availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices and check unlawful trade practices by effectively implementing the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act in the state.
He directed the Department to maintain smooth supply of essential commodities to the consumers at reasonable rates and take corrective measures to check the hoarding and profiteering by the traders.
Thakur said that the State Government has invoked H.P. Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order 1977, H.P. Commodities Price Marking and Display Order 1977 and H.P. Trade Articles (Licensing and Control) Order 1981 from April, 2021 to check any kind of trade malpractices. He said that these orders would remain in force till October 31 this year.
The Chief Minister further said that as many as 4638 inspections have been conducted during the last about one month to discourage the traders from overcharging and hoarding.
He said that the Targeted Public Distribution System in the state is functioning effectively through a network of 5028 fair price shops catering to the needs of 19,17,302 ration card holders. All the ration card holders were being provided three pulses, salt, sugar and edible oil at subsidized rates under the State Subsidy Scheme, he added.
Thakur also said that Himachal Pradesh is one of the first states in the country to implement One Nation - One Ration Card Scheme under National Food Security Act (NFSA). All the NFSA families are being provided 2 kg rice and 3 kg wheat per person per family free of cost for two months i.e. May and June, 2021 under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna-III.
The Chief Minister directed the officers of the department and corporation to remain vigilant during this pandemic so that the general public could be facilitated.