Centre Mulling To Amend Laws To Check Hoarding, Black Marketing

The Centre intends to amend the Essential Commodities Act and Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act to curb hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities.

“The Essential Commodities Act will be made more stringent by making offences under the Act non-bailable. We have been waiting for the response of the State governments to the proposal since their consent is required to amend the Act,” Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said.

Paswan also said that his ministry has asked the state governments to give their views on the proposed amendments to the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) Act. Perishable commodities like fruits and vegetables will not come under the ambit of the APMC Act. The amendment will enable farmers to sell their product directly to retailers or consumers, without any involvement of middlemen.

The minister also emphasised on the need to set up scientific storehouses, particularly for items like onion and potatoes, to control food inflation.

Paswan further said that only two states – Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – have fully implemented the National Food Security Act.