Collectors instructed to keep a tab on the market as unscrupulous traders might attempt to hoard essential items
Bhubaneswar: State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister SN Patro Wednesday urged the people not to resort to panic buying of essential commodities in view of severe cyclone Titli, which is likely to make landfall early Thursday.
People have not only started stocking up on provisions, but also queuing up at petrol pumps for the precious liquid. Cyclone Titli over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is likely to make a landfall between Gopalpur in Odisha and Kalingapatnam (Srikakulam) in Andhra Pradesh early Thursday morning at a speed of 145 kmph.
The minister said he has instructed all district Collectors to keep a tab on the market as unscrupulous traders might attempt to hoard essential items.The government would take stringent action against hoarders, he said. “The state has adequate stock of food and people should not go for panic buying in view of the cyclone,’’ Patro said. There is no need to procure more provisions than what is needed, he added.
Meanwhile, Sudhakar Panda, spokesperson for the state’s apex body of traders, Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangha, said the markets have enough food items in store. “There should be no panic buying at all,” he added. He said traders have been asked not to sell kitchen essentials like potatoes, onions and other items at high prices.
“The people are requested to inform the Mahasangha if anyone charges more than the price of commodities,’’ Panda said adding the people may also lodge complaints with the district Collectors.
People residing in the coastal areas were seen buying vegetables and other food items and fuel in view of the cyclone. They are also demanding additional diesel for their generators to operate water pumps. Commodities like candles and torches are also in high demand.