The Sadar Sub-Divisional Administration on Thursday evening conducted an inspection at Maharajganj Market in Agartala to check the sharp rise in prices of rice, pulses and other essential commodities and to detect possible hoarding and price irregularities.
Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manik Lal Das, accompanied by the Additional SDM and a large enforcement team, inspected wholesale and retail establishments at the city’s main wholesale market. Officials checked the stocks maintained by traders, prevailing wholesale and retail prices, and purchase and sale invoices to ascertain the reasons behind the recent price hike.
The joint team comprising officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Sadar Sub-Divisional Administration and Legal Metrology Department found discrepancies in the wholesale and retail rates of some essential commodities and issued warnings to errant traders.
According to sources, the price of Aaram rice has increased sharply over the past fortnight, with a 26-kg packet reportedly rising from around Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,600. Traders have reportedly attributed the increase to difficulties in transportation caused by the poor condition of the National Highway during the monsoon.
The latest raid was conducted as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to prevent artificial shortages and hoarding of essential commodities in Agartala. The Food and Civil Supplies Department had earlier directed officials to conduct regular inspections of markets during the monsoon season to prevent hoarding and ensure that essential commodities remain available to consumers at reasonable prices.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, SDM Manik Lal Das said the state government had recently taken note of the abrupt rise in prices of essential commodities, particularly rice, which has caused hardship to consumers.
“As rice and pulses come under the Essential Commodities Act, the Food and Civil Supplies Department is directly monitoring their wholesale and retail prices,” Das said.
He said the inspection teams had noticed several discrepancies and had served show-cause notices to wholesale traders. The officials also collected purchase and sale invoices from several rice and pulse traders for further verification.
Das warned that strict legal action would be taken if discrepancies were established during the scrutiny of the documents.
The SDM also made it clear that the government would not tolerate any attempt to create an artificial crisis or hoard essential commodities for profiteering.
He said adequate stocks of essential commodities were available in the state and that the movement of vehicles through the National Highways was largely normal. Despite this, he alleged, a section of traders was attempting to create an artificial shortage for personal gain.
Das said the administration would continue inspections at major markets across Agartala and take action against traders found violating rules, while ensuring that consumers are protected from unreasonable price increases.