Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed to take strict action against those who charge excessive prices for daily use items in the state. The chief minister said this in a high-level meeting on the basis of which a huge difference in the prices of daily necessities was noticed in many places.
The price list must be displayed in front of all business establishments. Departments should work together to contain prices through effective intervention. Inspection of Legal Metrology Department should be tightened. Hoarding should be completely avoidable. A team led by the Collector should carry out direct inspections in the main markets of the district. There should be police intervention. Horticorp, Consumerfed and Civilsupplies should effectively intervene in the market to hold down the prices of consumer goods. Markets for Onam should start early under the leadership of cooperative banks.
Quality control should be done at all locations. The District Collectors should discuss with the business community the difference in prices of the same item in different areas and find a solution. Efforts should be made to settle the fluctuations and bring about a uniform price. District Collectors should review the price level of daily necessities at least once a week. The Chief Minister also suggested that a meeting of the concerned departmental secretaries should be held once in 10 days under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
