Centre warns zero tolerance against hoarders during Covid curfews and lockdowns

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 19

The Centre on Monday asked all states and UTs to adopt zero-tolerance against hoarders so that the supplies of essential commodities are maintained during curfews and lockdowns being imposed due to the Covid pandemic.

They have also been asked to ensure that prices of the essential supplies, including food items, drugs, hygiene products, and other essential services are not increased and that they are available at fair prices.

They have been instructed to take action against unscrupulous traders and hoarders under the Essential Commodities Act, according to a statement by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The decisions were taken at a review meeting called by Additional Secretary Nidhi Khare from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution with state officials during which availability and price situation of essential commodities were discussed.

The arrivals as well as prices of the essential commodities in different mandis of the states were also shared with states and UTs, officials said.

It was decided that joint teams of Food and Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology Controllers, Food Safety, Health and Police should be constituted at state, UT and district level for effective surveillance and enforcement activities in order to avoid a situation of demand and supply mismatch.

States and UTs may undertake publicity and awareness activities so as to mitigate panic buying of essential commodities, they added. 

“During the meeting, it was emphasised that the states and UTs administration is empowered to act against the unscrupulous traders and hoarders for maintenance of supplies of the essential commodities. 

“Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 gives powers to control production, supply, distribution, etc., of essential commodities and the same have been delegated to the states and UTs.

“Under Section 3 of the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980, any person may be detained, for a maximum period of 6 months, with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies of commodities essential to the community,” the statement said. 

The Department of Consumer Affairs administers the “Essential Commodities Act, 1955” and the “Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980”.

Both these Acts were enacted in order to ensure availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices to the consumers and to protect them from exploitation by unscrupulous traders and hoarders.