- By Yashashvi Tak
- Fri, 09 May 2025 04:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chandigarh News: The District Magistrate of U.T. Chandigarh has prohibited the hoarding and stockpiling of essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act, 2023. The move comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The order came into effect at midnight on May 9 and prohibits all individuals, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities from hoarding essential items such as rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, dairy products, medicines, petrol, and diesel.
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"In order to safeguard public interest and maintain smooth availability of essential goods, I, Nishant Kumar Yadav, I.A.S., District Magistrate, U.T., Chandigarh, exercising the powers conferred upon me... hereby order the following," the official notification states.
The order mandates that all traders and stockists must declare their current inventory to the Department of Food & Supplies within three days of its issuance. Failure to comply may result in legal action under the relevant provisions of the law.
"No person, traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities shall engage in the hoarding or stockpiling of essential commodities, food items including but not limited to rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, fuel including petrol and diesel," mentioned the order.
"All traders and stockists shall declare their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh Administration, within three days of this order,” read the order.
The administration has also requested citizens to report any cases of hoarding, black marketing, or price manipulation.
Amid intelligence reports suggesting a potential air strike threat from Pakistan, the District Magistrate of Ambala has issued a complete ban on the use of inverters, generators, and other outdoor power backup systems during nighttime hours to safeguard public safety, according to an official press statement.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday assured the nation that there is no shortage of food, emphasizing that the country’s agricultural reserves are at full capacity. He stated that while soldiers stand guard at the borders, farmers continue their work diligently in the fields.
"As the agriculture department, our responsibility is to ensure food security. Our agricultural reserves are full. Whether wheat, rice or other grains, we have sufficient quantities. The soldiers are posted on the border, and farmers are in the fields. Scientists stand with them. We have curated a scheme to develop new dimensions of the production of Kharif crops. It is our responsibility to work with the farmers in the fields and increase production," Chauhan told reporters in a press conference.
His remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the destruction of terrorist camps at nine locations across the border under Operation Sindoor—a mission launched in retaliation for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
(With ANI Inputs)