Govt orders crackdown on hoarders in Delhi

He has asked the administration to take steps to control price rise

The government on Thursday announced a slew of measures, including raids on hoarders, to put a brake on spiralling prices of essential commodities such as onions and potatoes in Delhi.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who held a meeting with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and other senior officers, said steps had been taken to ensure reasonable prices of onions.

Prices of onions have increased to over Rs 30 a kg in the retail market in Delhi, against Rs 21 a kg last month and potatoes are being sold for Rs 28 a kg against Rs 22 a kg.

“As a follow up of the instructions for raiding suspected hoarders, as many as 540 places were already searched on Thursday,” Singh told reporters, adding 1,082 raids were carried out last month.

The national capital is under President’s rule and administratively under the control of the home ministry at present.

The home minister said he had directed that the drive against hoarding should be continued to provide maximum relief to the general public.

Blaming the previous UPA regime for the price rise, Singh said, “UPA-II derailed India’s economy. Now it will take some time to bring it on track. We are confident of doing so and committed to ensure prices do not rise.”

Singh said the number of mobile vans selling commodities would be increased from 60 to 200 and the number of outlets selling onions(at Rs 20 a kg) and potatoes (at Rs 18 a kg) in government premises would be increased from 40 to 300.

He said UPA-I had taken advantage of the achievements of the Atal Bihar Vajpayee-led NDA government when the growth rate was above eight per cent. "The effect of that growth rate remained for 3-4 years," he said.

Singh said the number of mobile vans selling essential commodities will be increased from existing 60 to 200 and the number of outlets selling onions(at Rs 20 a kg) and potatoes (at Rs 18 a kg) in government premises will be increased from 40 to 300.