Minister orders strict action against black marketing

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal directed the concerned Department of Consumer officials to keep a strict vigil on at least 22 items including pulses, vegetables, milk etc to maintain equilibrium in the market.

New Delhi:Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday directed the Department of Consumer officials to take strict action against those involved in the unnecessary hoarding and black marketing of essential food items.

He directed the concerned officials to keep a strict vigil on at least 22 items including pulses, vegetables, milk etc to maintain equilibrium in the market.

Goyal further instructed the officials to take note of the prices of the essential commodities as there are several complaints registered regarding the overpricing of essential items.

It also directed the state to boost the procurement of pulses in order to support the farmers.

Earlier on Wednesday, the government said that the Retail inflation eased to 4.29 percent in April due to declining food prices. It was 5.52 per cent in March. The fall was largely due to a sharp decline in food inflation.