Guwahati: Amid uncertainties linked to the West Asia conflict, chief secretary Ravi Kota on Thursday cautioned against hoarding, black marketing, and speculative activities related to essential commodities and warned of strict legal action against violators.
Review Meeting on Price Monitoring
During a review meeting with all district commissioners to assess the state's price monitoring framework and market stabilisation measures for essential commodities, Kota stated that there had been no significant variation in prices during the period from March to May. However, he added that such stability does not justify any abnormal price hikes by traders or retailers.
Strict Enforcement Measures
Directing all district commissioners to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure strict enforcement measures across their respective districts, the chief secretary said, “Any attempt to exploit the situation through hoarding, black marketing, speculative trading, or other unfair trade practices would invite stringent action under relevant legal and regulatory provisions.” He instructed district commissioners to immediately operationalise and strengthen district-level task forces on price monitoring through regular coordination meetings with wholesalers, retailers, chambers of commerce, transporters, and other stakeholders.
Coordinated Field-Level Enforcement
Kota emphasised the need for coordinated field-level enforcement and real-time monitoring to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices. The meeting also examined district-wise trends in retail and wholesale prices, stock positions, supply chain vulnerabilities, enforcement preparedness, and institutional coordination mechanisms necessary to maintain market discipline and protect consumers across the state.
Standard Operating Measures Issued
Certain standard operating measures were issued to all district commissioners for immediate compliance, which include immediate holding of district-level task force meetings on price monitoring, with minutes to be shared promptly, and similar monitoring meetings at co-district, circle, and block levels involving all stakeholders. The DCs have also been directed to intensify field-level monitoring of stock positions and prices of essential commodities and market inspections, and mobilise enforcement squads comprising officers from all concerned line departments for coordinated inspection drives. Display of wholesale and retail prices at shops and market premises for consumer transparency has been made mandatory.
Background and Further Directives
It may be mentioned that on May 18, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed the authorities to take strict action against traders found indulging in abnormal price hikes, including cancellation of trade licences in serious cases. The chief secretary further directed all DCs to personally review market conditions at regular intervals and ensure close coordination among all concerned departments for timely intervention wherever necessary. He underscored the importance of maintaining public confidence through proactive monitoring, responsive administration, and visible enforcement action on the ground.
