Making a U-turn, the Delhi Government has put in abeyance its decision to impose stock limit to prevent hoarding of onions and potatoes in the national Capital. Insiders told The Pioneer that the Delhi Government has decided to put on hold the proposal to fix stock limit of essential commodities such as onions and potatoes and make it offences under the Essential Commodities Act non-bailable.
Insiders say that a large section of traders expressed apprehension that if the notification is issued, the Capital will face shortage of onions and potatoes as traders from other States would prefer to avoid Delhi. “Delhi is not a producing State and such notification will be effective for those areas which produce such commodities,” said traders, adding that fixing of stock limit will create artificial shortage of these two commodities and traders from other States will prefer not to trade in the Capital.
As per draft notification, the Government was planning to fix 400 quintal stock limit of onions and potatoes each for wholesale traders. For retailers, it has planned to fix 12 quintal stock limit of onions and potatoes.
It is noted that the lieutenant Governor had raised this issue at a meeting with the MHA and asked to impose stock limit hoarding of onion and potatoes to keep prices under control. “The Centre has agreed to amend the Essential Commodities Act under which any offence of hoarding will become non-bailable and attract stricter punishment too,” said officials.
After the Centre’s decision, the Delhi Government also decided to fix stock limits to crack down on hoarders. A senior official said on the condition of anonymity that notification regarding stock limit hoarding was prepared as the Government want to give a strong message to hoarders.
Meanwhile, lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Dharampal and 11 Deputy Commissioners to review the price rise of essential commodities. At the meeting, Deputy Commissioners briefed him about steps taken by them to check prices. Jung reportedly expressed concern over increasing prices of tomatoes that crossed Rs 90-100 per kg in several posh colonies. During the meeting, officials informed that there is no shortage of onion and potatoes and stock is sufficient. They also said that raids will continue on wholesale traders in the Capital.