The Hindu : Front Page : Naveen asks Collectors to tackle price rise

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Friday, Apr 11, 2008
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Naveen asks Collectors to tackle price rise

Special Correspondent

High-level meeting held to review the situation

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday directed all the district Collectors to take immediate steps in order to keep the prices of essential commodities under control.

Mr. Patnaik issued the instructions after he held a high-level meeting to review the situation that had arisen due to steep rise in the prices of various essential items in the recent weeks.

The meeting, which was attended by Food and Supplies Minister Manmohan Samal and top officials concerned, expressed concern over the spurt in the prices of pulses, edible oil, vegetables and other essential items.

Stringent measures

The Chief Minister stressed the need for stringent measures to curb the price rise saying that the common man had been badly hit by the increase in prices of essential commodities across the country.

Mr. Patnaik issued instructions to the District Collectors to keep an eye on the supply and demand of various commodities, and closely watch the prices in the market.

He directed the district administrations to take action against hoarders and greedy traders by using the services of the Marketing Intelligence Department to prevent artificial hike in prices.

The Chief Minister further directed the District Collectors to convene meeting of the PDS Advisory Committee in their respective districts to discuss the problem of price rise.

Mr. Patnaik also issued orders to the authorities to keep a close watch on the distribution of various essential items under the public distribution system.

The meeting also decided that the Pani Panchayats be encouraged to undertake cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in order to keep the prices of pulses and edible oil under control in the future.

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