Delhi government continues crackdown against hoarders

Continuing its massive crackdown against hoarders and touts at public dealing offices, Delhi government Wednesday raided fair price shops, petrol pumps and other offices. It found irregularities in several of them.

Of the 19 fair price shops (FPS) that were raided, seven were sealed for diverting foodgrains.

"Criminal cases have been registered against the licensees under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955," said a government official.

Raids were conducted at 25 petrol pumps and 430 dispensers were inspected.

"In four cases, the licensees have been prosecuted for dispensing lesser quantity," he added.

Meanwhile, officials of the Anti-Corruption Branch inspected some infrastructure project sites and found work was behind schedule.

"The technical experts were found absent. Some unskilled labourers said they were not being paid the minimum wages prescribed by the government," the official said.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung met heads of the three municipal corporations of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council and asked them to take steps to curb corruption in their respective departments.

The Delhi government May 1 had launched a drive against hoarders, black-marketeers and touts in the national capital.