 "Panic among people after rumours of salt shortage in Allahabad (Pic: ANI)")
Rubbishing rumours of shortage of salt in the country, the Union government today said there has been no increase in prices of the commodity which is being sold at Rs 14-15 per kg in retail markets.
"This is rubbish. There is no truth in this rumour. There is no shortage of salt in the country. On an average, salt prices are ruling at Rs 14-15 per kg same at last year's level. There has not been increase in prices," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told PTI.
Uncessary panic is being spread that salt is being sold at Rs 200 per kg. "Those who have sold at Rs 200, the UP government should take action and arrest them," he said.
If anyone is selling at such high rates in any parts of the country, the state governments should take immediate action, he added.
In a series of tweets, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too said there was no shortage of edible salt.
"Baseless rumours being spread. Salt Commissioner & Jt. Secretary Shri Raghavendra monitoring the situation. Asst.Salt Commissioners reporting from the field. No shortage. Monitoring will be on-going," she tweeted.
Please do not believe in any rumours. There is no shortage of #salt or any other necessary commodity nor any price hike information.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) November 11, 2016
Lack of small denomination currency today triggered rumours of black marketing of essential commodities like salt as shopkeepers refused to provide change when offered with higher denomination notes.
In Uttar Pradesh, there were reports of panicked customers flocking to market as rumours flew thick and fast that salt has gone out of shelves and shopkeepers are selling at a premium -- a high as Rs 200 per kg.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Hem Pande said, "There is no truth in this rumour. It is all rumour mongering. There is no problem in supply, distribution and prices of salt in the country."
He said that the prices have been ruling stable at Rs 12 per kg in the wholesale markets and Rs 14-15 per kg in retail.
Asked if the Centre has spoken on this issue with the UP government, Pande said, "We have spoken to state officials and they too informed us that there is no truth in this rumour. Prices in UP are ruling on an average at Rs 16-17 per kg".
2.the situation. Asst.Salt Commissioners reporting from the field. No shortage. Monitoring will be on-going. Feedback may be given #mociseva
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 11, 2016
The centre has also checked the price situation of salt in other states as well and there has not been any increase in the rate of the essential commodity.
Meanwhile, Delhi government also appealed to Delhiites not to pay attention to rumours of shortage of salt in the city and assured that there is no scarcity of such essential commodity.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said teams of food supply officers and sub-divisional magistrates are rounding city's markets where salt is available in sufficient stock.
Amid rumours of scarcity of salt, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said there is no dearth of the commodity and it was adequately available across the state.
He also appealed to the people not to pay attention to such rumours and avoid panic buying.
The Chief Minister also directed the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Food) and all District Magistrates to take action against those indulge in hoarding, black marketing and creating artificial scarcity of the commodity, and warned strict action against them.
His directions came following rumours of black marketing of essential commodities like salt in the state after shopkeepers refused to provide change when offered with higher denomination notes.
In Moradabad, there were reports of panicked customers flocking to market as rumours flew thick and fast that salt has gone out of shelves and shopkeepers are selling at a premium.
Circle Officer Kotwali area Poonam Mishra said police has been sent to Katra Naj from where reports of black marketing had emanated.
Tension prevailed in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar area as residents hurled stones at police buses amid rumours of shortage of salt and hike in prices of the essential commodities.
As the rumour spread, scores of people stepped out on the Kalindi Kunj-Jamia Nagar road and vandalised buses, a senior police officer said.
They also threw stones at the police buses which were rushed to the spot to control the situation. Four policemen have been reportedly injured in the incident, he said.
While police were trying to calm things down, a rumour spread that a trader was shot at during a fight due to the shortage of salt, he said.
Police placated the residents and brought the situation under control. Additional force from a neighbouring police stations was also called in, he said.
A large number of police personnel are deployed in the area in view of the incident.
