Concerned over rising food prices, Delhi minister orders daily market inspection

Expressing concern over reports of rising retail prices of pulses and sugar, the Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Friday directed officials of his department for daily inspection of the markets.

"Hussain reviewed the retail prices situation of pulses and sugar. He expressed concern over media reports regarding rising retail prices of pulses and sugar. The department informed that the prices of pulses and sugar are stable in Delhi," a government statement said.

The officials of the department, however, informed the minister that prices of pulses and sugar were "stable" in the national capital.

The meeting was attended by officers of the marketing and intelligence cell, food and civil supplies department. "There was no price rise either in the wholesale market or in the retail market. Marketing and intelligence cell continuously checks the wholesale as well as retail prices regularly," the department officials told the minister.

Hussain directed the department to carry out inspections of the wholesale markets -- Azadpur Mandi, Okhla Mandi, Ghazipur Mandi, Keshopur Mandi.

He also directed inspection of retail markets in different parts of Delhi as well. It was directed to send teams consisting of officers from market intelligence cell, enforcement branch and circle offices of the food and civil supplies department to these markets on a daily basis, it said. The minister also sought daily inspection reports and prompt information about hike in prices of pulses and sugar, it added.

(With inputs from PTI)