BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Saturday asked district collectors to take action against traders found hoarding and selling potato and onion at high price under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Secretary in the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Madhusudan Padhi said all the district collectors have been directed to take action against the hoarders following the inclusion of potato and onion in the list of essential commodities.
The State Government included both the items in the list of essential commodities as per the directive of the Centre. Padhi said the State Government can book hoarders under the Essential Commodities Act, which has empowered states to undertake effective de-hoarding operations by fixing stock limits in respect of these commodities in view of rising prices.
The hoarders can be prosecuted and criminal action can be taken against them, he said. The State Government has also asked the traders to keep the difference between the wholesale and retail prices of these two commodities under reasonable limits.
Besides, fees collected by Regulated Market Committees from vegetable and fruit farmers has been waived by the State Government to keep prices under control.
Centre has already imposed control orders on onion and potato under the Essential Commodities Act and anyone hoarding stocks of these items beyond limits prescribed by the respective state governments will be liable for prosecution.
Punishable offence
n Centre has already imposed control orders on onion and potato under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955