Bhalla for Action under ECA on Traders to Control Prices, States may also
Get Powers of Detention
As part of maintaining smooth supply of
essential items in the country, Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all State Chief Secretaries to take
urgent steps to ensure availability of essential goods, by invoking provisions
of the Essential Commodities (EC) Act 1955. These measures include fixing of
stock limits, capping of prices, enhancing production, inspection of accounts
of dealers and other such actions.
There have been reports of loss of production
due to various factors, especially reduction in labour
supply. In this situation, there is a possibility of inventory
building/hoarding and black marketing, profiteering, and speculative trading,
resulting in price rise of essential goods. The States have been asked to take
urgent steps to ensure availability of these commodities at fair prices for
public at large.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),
with its orders under the Disaster Management Act, has allowed
manufacture/production, transport and other related supply-chain activities in
respect of essential goods like foodstuff, medicines and medical equipment.
Further, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food
& Public Distribution, Government of India, is authorizing States/Union
Territories to notify orders under the EC Act, 1955 by relaxing the requirement
of prior concurrence of the Central Government up to June 30, 2020.
Offences under EC Act are criminal offences
and may result in imprisonment of 7 years or fine or both. State/Union
Territory Governments may also consider detention of offenders under the
Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential
Commodities Act, 1980.