Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned a section of business community against blackmarketing of essential commodities saying such attempts would be strongly dealt with. The order came following reports that a section of traders particularly in the wholesale markets were hoarding items, in turn, jacking up price of essential commodities like potato, egg, edible oil etc sources said.
“Love for the motherland is not to be shown on the streets but in spirit too,” Bannerjee said reminding how the country should remain united in every respect from family affairs to the battle front.
“A situation has arisen after the Pahalgam attack by terrorists when many innocent people were killed, in that respect it is a necessity that we should be prepared for certain situations, our stocks should be kept ready, in that context it is necessary that people do not indulge in blackmarketing of essential commodities taking advantage of the situation. We are keeping a strong watch on the hoarders, traders are asked not to supply produce through the borders to make money,” Banerjee said adding this was the time for everyone to remain united not only in words but also in their acts.
The Chief Minister has also asked the respective departments to ensure that Sufal Bangla stores (Government run outlets) should remain open with increased supplies. “We have around 700 outlets and we will have 100 more. These stores are doing good job,” but at the same time their efficiency should be increased during the hour of need, she said.
Banerjee’s instruction to the top officials including the State Director General of Police came at a time when there were reports of some unscrupulous traders hoarding essential commodities allowing price of food products to shoot up.
“There is plenty of supplies and there is no need to panic, only we will have to ensure that such things are not hoarded and artificial scarcity is not created. The DGP has to keep track of t his and hold virtual meetings on a regular basis,” Banerjee said asking the departmental ministers and people’s representatives to keep a strong vigil on the situation too.
Banerjee’s statement came within hours of the Government cancelling leaves of all the Government employees.
The Chief Minister had earlier requested the private schools to announce summer vacations earlier than schedule “though this is not an order.” A number of schools had followed her instructions and had announced summer vacation sources said.
Elsewhere the authorities at the Netaji Subhas International Airport too issued circulars cancelling leaves of its staff particularly those associated with the security system, sources said. “The repair work at the second landing strip too has been suspended for now and a state of alert has been sounded,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development the Special Task Force of the State police arrested two terror operatives reportedly linked to Bangladesh’s banned terrorist group Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). The arrests were made following raids at some locations at Nalhati and Murarai in Birbhum district bordering Murshidabad. The terror moles have been identified as Ajmol Hossain (28) and Saheb Ali Khan (28). Murarai is not very far from Khagragarh village where two JMB terrorists were killed while making bombs in October 2014.
Hossain and Khan who were arrested following reports that they were propagating Jihadi ideology against India in their area. These JMB modules were entrusted with recruiting members and disseminating seditious materials that went against the unity and integrity of Indian State officials said. The police were trying to find out whether they had Pakistan links or not, sources said.
