Bhubaneswar: In a move to safeguard the interest of consumers amid the approaching Cyclone Montha, officials of Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department launched extensive raids across the state on Tuesday.
Officials said that the statewide crackdown aims to prevent black marketing and maintain an uninterrupted supply chain for essential commodities.
As the cyclone is expected to have its impact till October 30, authorities are intensifying inspections to ensure that no trader indulges in hoarding or unnecessary stockpiling of vital goods.
The focus is on guaranteeing abundant availability of key items such as flattened rice, jaggery, sugar, pulses, cooking oil, potatoes, and onions. This initiative is designed to eliminate any doubts among consumers about shortages in the market.
All necessary steps have been taken to make these essentials readily available at fair prices, officials said, adding that district collectors have been briefed to pay special attention to this issue, emphasising strict enforcement.
Particularly in districts likely to receive heavy rainfall due to the cyclone, adequate stocks of essential commodities have been secured.