Odisha Govt Warns Traders Against Selling Essential Items On Black Market

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday directed district collectors to act against traders selling essential commodities on the black market in view of the approaching cyclone.

In a letter to all the district collectors, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department has asked them to keep adequate stock of essential commodities like cereals, cooking oil, sugar, potato, onion, flattened rice (chuda) and jaggery (gur), so that the people face no problem regarding short supply of these items during the cyclone.

Besides, the department has also asked them to keep a close watch on the traders to ensure that these essential commodities are sold at the market price. It has also directed the Supply and Marketing officials to take necessary action against the traders if they are found selling these commodities at a higher rate.

“No trader under any circumstances should sell essential items at a higher price during the cyclone. If any complaint is received on this matter, stern action would be taken against the errant trader,” Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro told the mediapersons here.

He said that people should not panic as there was enough stock of these essential commodities.

Secretary of Chhatra Bazar Byabasayee Sangh Debendra Sahu said the consumers need not panic over the availability of potatoes and onion. “We have enough stock in the godowns at Jagatpur and Tangi. Besides, there are enough stock in three godowns in Bhubaneswar,” he added.