Covid-19 HP govt initiates steps to check hoarding, black marketing of essential commodities
Hamirpur (HP)/UNI: The Himachal Pradesh government has initiated steps to check the hoardings and black marketing in all parts of the state during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This step has been taken in view of the imposition of lockdown in the state till May 24th which is likely to be extended to May 31st.
As many as 4,638 inspections have been conducted during the last one month to discourage the traders from overcharging and hoarding.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state Government would not hesitate to take stern action against those involved in hoarding and profiteering of essential commodities during the corona pandemic.
Thakur stated this while virtually interacting with the officers of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and HP State Civil Supplies Corporation from Shimla on Sartuday.
The Chief Minister said that the department should ensure the 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 said that the department must maintain a smooth supply of essential commodities to the consumers at reasonable rates and take corrective measures to check the hoarding and profiteering by the traders.
The Chief Minister said that the Targeted Public Distribution System in the State was functioning effectively through a network of 5028 fair price shops catering to the needs of 19,17,302 ration card holders.
He said that all the ration card holders were being provided three pulses, salt, sugar and edible oil at subsidized rates under the State Subsidy Scheme.
Thakur claimed that Himachal Pradesh was one of the first States in the country to implement One Nation - One Ration Card Scheme under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
He said that the State Government has also launched Intrastate Ration Card Portability from 6th of January last year. He said that this has helped the consumers in getting essential commodities wherever they wish.
He directed the officers of the department and corporation to be extra vigilant during this pandemic so that the general public could be facilitated.
Meanwhile, reports reaching here revealed that the steps taken by the state government had shown wanted results and there was no shortage of any essential item in any part of the state.
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