New Delhi: Large hoardings of soybean and mustard seeds in the Dewas, Shajapur and Guna districts of Madhya Pradesh were unearthed by Central teams, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, stated here today. These seeds were much above the stock limit prescribed by the Government.
Hoarding of seeds has pushed up the prices of soyabean oil, the Ministry stated, adding that the State Government has been asked to step in to take necessary action under the EC Act, 1955.
The Central teams had been sent to Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Gujarat and Delhi.
In Maharashtra and Rajasthan, large quantities of edible oils were found in excess of the prescribed quantities of the control order. Wholesalers and Big Chain Retail outlets were the main violators. “The State Governments have been requested to take corrective measures in accordance with the relevant sections of the EC Act, and also ensure that the supply chain is not affected while taking action under EC Act,” the Ministry stated. It informed that inspection was ongoing in the remaining five States.
In order to ensure strict enforcement of the Central Order of March 30, 2022 and February 3, 2022, Central teams from the Department of Food and Public Distribution had been deputed to conduct surprise inspections of the stocks of edible oils and oilseeds held by retailers, wholesalers, big chain retailers and processors in major oilseed producing and consuming States.
– global bihari bureau
