Panic buying of salt over rumours that it would disappear from markets led to the price hitting Rs 100 per kg in Darjeeling, as the West Bengal government today assured of no shortage and hoarders would be punished.
Reports of panic buying of salt were received from Darjeeling, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts in north Bengal.
"There is no shortage of salt in the districts as per the district administration and the food and supply department," an official statement said here.
It advised people not to pay heed to rumours by "mischievous people for undue profit" and said that Police have been instructed to take action against those spreading rumours and hoarding salt.
North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb said in Siliguri that there was stock of two lakh quintals of salt in the north Bengal town which was sufficient.
"Some political parties with help from unscrupulous traders have created this situation," he alleged.
A monitoring office will start functioning from today till January 1 next year where people could make complaints over price rise of essential commodities, Deb said.
Siliguri Merchant Association president Om Prakash Agarwal demanded strong action against unscrupulous traders.
