New Delhi: With fears of a possible drought looming in many parts of the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met state food ministers on Friday. After his meeting, Jaitley said that hoarders take advantage of untoward monsoon conditions.
"During July-December every year, prices of some food items increase because of hoarding. Hoarders are taking advantage of the forecast of below normal monsoon," he said. Jailtey added that state governments should take stern action against hoarders to rein in prices. He also assured the state governments of complete support from the Centre. He said that there was no need to panic over onion prices as they are lower than last year.
Food minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, secretaries of the concerned department were also be present at the meeting.
Paswan said that tackling food inflation is important for the government because "if left unchecked it can easily distort the various concrete initiatives already taken for revival of the economy and improvement in distributive justice. We are, therefore, determined to meet this challenge and in collaboration with the state governments, the idea is to evolve a joint strategy and wherever possible extend its implementation up to the district level."
Earlier this week, the government included potatoes and onions to the Essential Commodities Act to help curb hoarding.
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