A day after the Union Government asked the States to check urgent measures to ensure a smooth supply of essential commodities, the Delhi Government conducted raids at around 550 premises and seized 12,000 quintal of illegal stock of pulses and rice.
Legal action have been initiated against wholesale and retail traders found to be holding more stock than the permissible limits, officials said.
“The illegal stock has been confiscated and FIR under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 has been lodged against 104 people,” said S.S. Yadav, commissioner of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
Fifty-two teams comprising senior officials from the Department of Food & Supply in association with the Delhi Police conducted raids across the city against the hoarders of commodities like onions, potatoes, pulses, edible oil, edible oil seeds, etc. Officials said while prices of essential commodities in the city are under control, raids were conducted in anticipation of artificial crisis of these items created by the traders.
However, with around 12,000 quintal of foodgrain pulled out of the market as they were confiscated, the action could, in fact, boomerang and hit the supply chain in near future leading to increase in prices of pulses and rice. The officials, however, played down such assertions stating that the confiscated items will be released in the market at the earliest.
“Since pulses and rice are not perishable, there is no question of the seized items rotting. Secondly, the investigating officer, on the day of its first hearing, takes disposal permission of the seized goods from the court,” said Mr. Yadav.
While raids were conducted across the city, sources said the biggest catches came from areas like Alipur in Outer Delhi where most of the big godowns are located. “The maximum number of godowns are located in Outer Delhi, especially in North and North-West on the open farm lands. They are also in demand due to their low rentals,” said an official.
