Delhi government launches drive against hoarding, 42 traders prosecuted

NEW DELHI: Delhi Government today launched a major drive against the hoarders, specially of onions and potatoes, during which 532 premises were raided and 42 traders were prosecuted for hoarding of essential commodities.

The Department of Food and Supplies constituted 70 teams comprising of officers from the department, inspectors, Legal Metrology officers and Delhi Police Personnel.

"Raids were conducted in more than 532 premises and 42 traders were prosecuted for violation of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

Each team was assigned a particular area and directed to scan the entire area, and not to spare anyone indulging in hoarding or other malpractices to cheat the consumers", said Commissioner of Food and Supply, S S Yadav said.

The raids were conducted at Narela Anaj Mandi, Nangloi, Sultan puri, Burari, Azadpur Mandi, Ashok Vihar, Timarpur, Shakur Basti, Shalimar Bagh, Okhla Mandi.

Also it was conducted at Mehrauli, Khanpur, Badarpur, Chattarpur, Najafgarh, Kapashehra, Palam, Mandawali, Gazipur, Shahdara, Brahampuri, Usmanpur, Keshopur Mandi, Madipur, Darya Ganj, Minto Road, RK Puram, Sarojni Nagar, Okhla, Jamia Nagar, Bhogal, Lajpat Nagar.

"The raids would continue till late in the night," the official said.

The raids were carried out on the directions of Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung who yesterday had ordered a clamp down on hoarders along with announcing a slew of measures to curb the hike of onion prices, he added.

Jung had also directed the Chief Secretary to write to the Department of Consumer Affairs to issue orders on stock limits to prevent hoarding.