VIJAYAWADA: The state government has warned of criminal cases against traders who create artificial shortages of essential commodities in the state in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and inflate prices.
The Vigilance and Enforcement Department conducted surprise checks on Monday in the State on 142 Wholesale / Retail traders, Supermarkets and Manufacturing Units etc and registered 92 cases. The officials stated that out of 142 inspections, four cases U/s 6A of EC Act, 1955 are filed on excess Stock limits as per G.O.Ms.No. 14, Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies (CS.I) Department, dated: 03-12-2021, 73 cases under Legal Metrology Act 2009 and Legal Metrology package commodities rules 2011 are filed for selling at higher price than MRP, 15 cases under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 are filed for not having licence and oil samples are collected for testing quality of oils. The inspections are continuing.
The V&E Department warned the wholesale, retail traders, supermarkets and manufacturing units not to commit illegal hoarding of palmolein oil, other edible oils, oil seeds and pulses and other commodities which causes a hike of price and creates artificial scarcity. The officials further warned stern action on licensing conditions apart from criminal action for hoarding stocks illegally.
