Question : HOARDING OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

(a) the details of legislative and administrative provisions available with the Government to check hoarding, blackmarketing and artificial shortage of essential commodities;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of the decline in the number of raids and prosecution carried out to check such activities during the last year as compared to previous years, if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such raids conducted, persons apprehended and the action taken against them, State-wise; and

(c) the steps being contemplated to check such activities in future?

THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.391FOR 21.04.2015 REGARDING HOARDING OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES.

(a) : The Essential Commodities Act (EC Act), 1955 and the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, (PBMMSEC Act), 1980 constitute the legislative and administrative provisions to control hoarding, blackmarketing and artificial shortage of essential commodities

(b) : Yes, Madam. State-wise details are Annexed.

(c) : The powers of the Central Government under EC Act, 1955 have been delegated to States/UTs vide order dated 09.06.1978. State Governments are empowered under the PBMMSEC Act, 1980 to order detention.