Joint inspection squads to prevent hoarding

Squads will be on the ground for inspection from September 1

Joint inspection squads will be formed to prevent hoarding and price hike during the Onam season.

The decision to form the squads was taken at a meeting presided over by District Collector T.V. Subhash here recently. The squads will function at taluk-level. Each squad will include an official each from Food and Civil Supplies, Food Safety, Goods and Service Taxes and Legal Metrology departments.

Mr. Subhash told the meeting that the squads were being formed to ensure that commodities were available in the market at fair price during the Onam season. The squads would be on the ground for inspection from September 1 to check vendors charging high price for items, ensure accuracy in weighing and measuring instruments, prevent hoarding and sale of low quality food commodities.

If necessary, the help of police and Revenue Department personnel would be ensured for the inspections, he added.

Onam fairs

Onam fairs are being opened in different parts of the district under the aegis of various government departments and agencies for the public to buy commodities at fair prices.

The complaints about quality and price of commodities in the open market could be redressed if they were brought to the notice of the squads, Mr. Subhash said. He also directed officials to announce toll-free numbers for the public to pass on information in this regard.

District Supply Officer K. Manoj Kumar, GST Assistant Commissioner Sunil Kumar, Legal Metrology Inspector P. Pradeep and Food Safety Nodal Officer Indu Bala were present at the meeting.