Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Nov 5: A deeply concerned Jharkhand Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy directed the departmental secretary to initiate immediate steps to curb the spiraling onion prices in the state. The Minister asked the departmental secretary to monitor morning and evening wholesale and retail prices of onions through figures procured from Krishi Utpadan Bazaar Samitis in all districts of the state. Roy instructed that the difference between wholesale and retail prices of onions should not exceed Rs 5 per kilogram. The secretary should take note of the difference in retail prices and ensure proper flow of the vegetable in all district markets of Jharkhand. The Minister maid special stress on collecting data of procurement price of onions and the sale prices of the vegetable in Nasik and other areas of Maharashtra.
In a press communiqu� issued today, Saryu Roy stated that although Model Code of Conduct was in force and there were limitations in the functioning of Ministers, but it was imperative for the government to use the administrative machinery to curb spiraling prices. He referred to the step taken during the price rise of onions in the recent past when there was a huge difference between the wholesale and retail prices; the establishment of Suvidha Kendras eased the prices for the general consumers. Roy also mentioned that administrative officials were legally empowered to control prices of commodities and they should use such powers for public benefit. No one had the right to earn more as a result of rising prices, the Minister contended.
Saryu Roy observed in the communiqu� that in the recent past the central government had passed an order to ensure price control. If the order is still prevailing then it should be used to control prices and if it is not then discussions should be held with the Indian government and ensure the reimplementation of the order.
