Delhi govt conducts drive against hoarding, malpractices

In view of the festive season, Delhi government has intensified its drive against hoarding of essential commodities, their blackmarketing, overcharging consumers and other such malpractices by wholesalers and retailers.
"As part of the drive, 25 teams raided 180 premises in different parts of the national capital in the last two days. During the drive, the teams visited several warehouses of edible oils, pulses, rice, potato cold storages and major wholesale markets," said Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Sajjan Singh Yadav.
The department is keeping a strict vigil on the prices of essential commodities which show an upward trend every festive season.

Yadav also said that during the drive, departmental teams prosecuted 51 traders for various offences under the Legal Metrology Act.
"These included 41 prosecutions for use of non certified scales, 6 for non-production of verification certificate and 8 for non display of verification certificate in the business premises.
"Apart from that, 44 traders were also prosecuted for violation under the Packaged Commodity Rules, 2011. These included 21 prosecutions for non display or faulty display of Maximum Retail Price on the package, and 16 for not mentioning date of manufacturing on the package," Yadav said.
He also said that the violators, on conviction by the court of law, may face imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs 15,000 or both.

"The raids against hoarders, black marketers and traders found cheating consumers by use of non certified scales or manipulation/non display of information on packaged commodities will continue in the coming days. Strict action will be taken against such people and no one found indulging in such practices will be spared," Yadav further added.