Haryana Government has decided to launch a special drive to prevent hoarding of onions so to ensure supply of onions in the market as per the demand. The special drive is aimed at keeping a check on increasing prices of onions.
A spokesperson of the Food and Supplies Department said that all District Food and Supply Controllers have been directed to check the stock of whole sellers or retailers. Hoarding of onions by whole sellers could be one reason for its increasing price and in this regard, this decision has been taken, he added. According to the Haryana Prevention of Hoarding and Maintenance of Quality Order, 1977, no whole seller or retailer could refuse to sell the articles which is available with him.
He said that as per the order, no whole seller or retailer would, without sufficient cause, refuse to sell to retailer or consumer as the case maybe, any article which is in stock with him, even if the maximum quantitative limits have not been fixed for the said dealer or consumer. Similarly, no producer would, unless otherwise provided in any other law for the time being in force and without sufficient cause refuse to sell his products to any person, who is entitled to purchase the same.
The spokesperson said that all District Food and Supply Controllers have been directed to keep a check on whole sellers and retailers in coordination with concerned Deputy Commissioners so as to prevent hoarding of onions. If any whole seller or retailer is found indulged in hoarding of onions, action would be initiated against him under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.