Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday directed district authorities to file cases for cheating against hoteliers collecting amounts in excess of those stated on their price lists from customers.
Speaking at a video conference with district authorities from the Secretariat in connection with preparations for Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the Chief Minister said that quality of food supplied should be ensured during the season. Fleecing of pilgrims by traders should not be countenanced.
Mr. Chandy directed the collectors to convene meetings of hoteliers early next week and ensure that hotels and restaurants charged only fair prices. They should be asked to display price lists in both English and Malayalam and be warned of action if they cheated customers on price or quality.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was decided that the State Civil Supplies Corporation, cooperatives and agencies under Agriculture Department should open more outlets for supply of vegetables at fair prices. These may be run up to January 1 if continued market intervention was called for.
Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who also addressed the district authorities, said that a pilgrimage season free of accidents, pollution and exploitation should be the motto. The State should appear prepared for the pilgrimage season. District authorities should ensure that the season is free of accidents. Street lights and sign boards should be set up wherever required.
Collectors should personally oversee the functioning of squads for to check exploitations of pilgrims by traders.
ADVERTISEMENT