Mizoram govt warns businessmen after price of salt jumps

Rumoursthat salt was unavailable hit the state which resulted in panic buying and prices skyrocketing

Mizoram government today warned businessmen against hoarding 'salt', which was rumoured to be sold for as high as Rs 300 a kilo in some areas of the state.

Rumours from Bihar that salt was unavailable hit Mizoram and the other north eastern states which resulted in prices skyrocketing and panic buying.

Some shops in Aizawl sold more than 100 quintals of salt in just three hours this morning, while in some places in southern Aizawl one kilo of salt sold for Rs 300, reports said.

An official statement said that those engaged in black marketing and hoarding of salt would be punished under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Flying squads, supply teams and static squads were deployed at Durtlang near Aizawl and the Mizoram-Assam border in Kolasib district to prevent export of salt outside the state and Aizawl city, the statement added.