Chandigarh Cracks Down on Hoarding Amid Security Concerns

In an assertive move to maintain the steady supply of essential goods, the District Magistrate of U.T. Chandigarh has enforced a ban on the hoarding and stockpiling of essential commodities. This directive, grounded in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act, 2023, took effect at midnight on May 9. It prohibits various stakeholders, including traders and business entities, from accumulating key items like rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, and more.

The crackdown was further confirmed through an official statement from the District Magistrate, Nishant Kumar Yadav, I.A.S., emphasizing the obligation of traders to disclose their inventory to the Department of Food & Supplies within three days of the order. The notice warns that non-compliance may result in severe legal consequences under the prevailing laws.

The public has been urged to report any suspicions of hoarding, black marketing, or price manipulation. Concurrently, concerns over a possible air strike from Pakistan have prompted the District Magistrate of Ambala to restrict the use of outdoor power sources at night for public safety. In a related development, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan assured that the country is well-stocked with food supplies and announced new initiatives to boost crop production amidst heightened Indo-Pak tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)