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Rangasamy promises steps to unearth hoarded commodities

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N.Rangasamy on Friday made it clear that the government would take stern action against those hoarding essential commodities.

Making a statement on a call attention motion moved by members belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Puducherry Munnetra Congress, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Communist Party of India, he said the government would take steps to unearth the hoarded commodities as part of measures to control prices.

The government will take steps to ensure that the essential commodities are supplied through the cooperative stores and the Puducherry Agro Products, Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO) at reduced prices, he said. Tenders have been invited for the supply of five essential commodities through the PDS by month-end, he added.

A total of 29 cases have been booked against persons who indulged in illegal activities such as smuggling and hoarding of essential articles, he said. A.M.H. Nazeem (DMK), N. Kalainathan and R. Viswanathan (CPI), A. Anbalagan (AIADMK), and K. Lakshminarayanan (PMC) moved the motion on the rise in prices of essential commodities and steps to be taken by the government to curb the price rise, eliminate hoarding and distribute essential commodities through fair price shops. Mr. Nazeem said that the prices of essential commodities in the Union Territory were higher than in Tamil Nadu. Some persons were constantly engaged in imposing an artificial hike by creating a scarcity of commodities.

Referring to the stern action taken against the smugglers and hoarders in Tamil Nadu, he urged the Union Territory to initiate such measures. Mr. Nazeem also demanded setting up of flying squad and monitoring panels to ensure supply of essential commodities at fair price shops. Leader of the PMC K. Lakshminarayanan urged the government to take steps to reduce the price of petrol and diesel considerably to ensure that there was no cascading effect. Mr. Kalainathan and Mr. Viswanathan expressed regret over the untoward incidents that had taken place during the agitation launched by the CPI on Thursday at the civil supplies office in Puducherry.

Mr. Kalainathan called for effective de-hoarding measures and steps to streamline the public distribution system to curb price rise.

He demanded setting up of a monitoring panel and supply of 15 essential commodities through fair price shops as it had been done in the Left-ruled States.

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