Surprise visits at mandis in Delhi to curb onion hoarding

NEW DELHI: Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain has directed his department to conduct surprise inspections at major wholesale markets of Delhi to check hoarding of onions.

Hussain expressed concern over the rising retail prices of onions, wherein the possibility of hoarding cannot be ruled out. Among the wholesale markets to be inspected will be Azadpur mandi, Okhla mandi, Ghazipur mandi and Keshopur mandi.

Teams of officers from the Market Intelligence Cell, Enforcement Branch and circle offices of the Food and Civil Supplies department will be constituted, which will inspect markets daily.

As the food items reach wholesale mandis around 3.00 am, after which they are mostly sold out by early morning to retail markets, the teams have been directed to inspect the mandis between 3.00 am and 7.00 am.

The teams would also visit godowns of commissioned agents, whole sellers, aarhatiyas/retailers to check hoarding. Special authorisation is being issued by the Department to officers for undertaking the inspections. The local SHO may also be informed about the inspections for necessary operational support.