Latest news with #DepartmentofFoodandSupplies
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab: ‘No shortage of essentials'— authorities urge calm as bulk buying of groceries, fuel surge
Long queues were witnessed at grocery stores in Mohali and Chandigarh on Friday as residents rushed to stock up on essentials, triggering scenes of panic buying. The surge in demand came after rumours of shops closing early at 7 pm circulated widely, prompting people to buy ration and fuel in bulk. Heavy crowds were reported particularly in the afternoon, with residents flocking to stores in Sector 26 Grain Market, Sector 22, Sector 27, Sector 20, and other key markets. Essentials such as dry rations, flour, rice, milk powder, and pulses saw soaring demand, and some items even went out of stock. 'I came to buy 2 kg of milk powder in case there's a milk shortage, but it was already unavailable at a Sector 27 store,' said Harpreet Kaur, a local resident. 'I hope the situation improves and daily essentials remain available.' The panic was not limited to groceries. The electric market in Sector 18 also saw a rush, with people purchasing inverters, batteries, torches, and emergency lights, preparing for possible disruptions. Meanwhile, panic buying was observed across residential areas in Mohali too. Long lines were seen at local grocery stores, flour mills, and other essential goods outlets. 'People are purchasing more than they need, despite us having adequate stock,' said Pawan, a local shopkeeper. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary hoarding. At B K Flour Mill in Phase 2, crowds have grown significantly, especially following a blackout advisory. The owner, Banish Kumar, stated, 'there is no shortage of flour. All customers will receive their supply at regular prices'. Meanwhile, amid the growing anxiety, the District Magistrate of Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, prohibiting hoarding and unauthorised stockpiling of essential commodities. The order, in force from May 9 to July 7, 2025, mandates that all traders and stockists declare their current inventories to the Department of Food and Supplies within three days. Citizens can report violations by calling 0172-2703956. Violators will face strict action under Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Mohali administration, which had already banned hoarding of essential goods, has reiterated its warning on stockpiling. Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, while talking with The Indian Express, warned citizens against falling for rumours. 'Avoid sharing unverified information on social media. If anyone comes across incidents of hoarding or black marketing, they must report it to the authorities,' she said. 'There is sufficient availability of essential commodities, and no one should panic.' Local MLA Kulwant Singh also reassured residents, saying, 'there is absolutely no need to worry or stock up on unnecessary items. The advisories being issued are part of a precautionary drill to prepare for emergency scenarios. Residents can be confident that there will be no shortage of food or other essential supplies. Fuel stations overwhelmed in Chandigarh Fuel stations in Sectors 28, 15, and 9, Chandigarh, were similarly overwhelmed, with long lines of cars, two-wheelers, buses, and even tractors — some carrying drums — adding to the chaos. Residents, concerned about fuel shortages, scrambled to fill their tanks. However, in Mohali petrol pump dealers have reassured the public that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel and that the fuel supply chain remains strong and uninterrupted. In a collective statement, fuel station owners confirmed that proactive measures have been taken to ensure a steady supply of petrol and diesel, despite the war-like situation. 'There is absolutely no disruption in fuel availability. People should avoid panic buying, as it creates unnecessary chaos and inconvenience,' said a dealer from Zirakpur. Petrol pump owners emphasised that the city currently has adequate stock, with most supplies arriving smoothly from Jalandhar, Sangrur, and Bathinda. 'While supply from Bathinda is facing some minor, temporary issues, deliveries from Jalandhar and Sangrur are proceeding normally,' they explained. To further instill public confidence, Zirakpur pump owners urged citizens not to fall prey to rumours or misinformation regarding fuel shortages. 'There is no need to rush or hoard fuel. We are fully stocked and operating as usual,' they added. Speaking to The Indian Express, MLA Kulwant Singh said, 'all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of petrol pump owners, staff, and customers. The public can rest assured that there will be no fuel shortage at any petrol station in the city'. Students start leaving hostels Students residing in hostels of prominent educational institutions have begun vacating their accommodations and returning to their homes after the postponement of examinations. Several hostels now lie empty, with only a few international students still staying on campus. In Kharar, tenants, mainly students residing in local housing societies are also moving out. 'The students who were living on rent in our house left quietly,' said Baba Singh, a resident of one such society. A similar trend is visible among industrial workers and private office employees. Many have started heading back to their native towns, while some companies have implemented work-from-home policies for their staff.
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Chandigarh administration bans hoarding of essential commodities amid rising tension
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India] May 9 (ANI): In a decisive move to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential goods, the District Magistrate of U.T. Chandigarh has imposed a ban on hoarding and stockpiling of essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act, 2023. The order, which came into effect from zero hours on May 9, prohibits all individuals, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities from engaging in the hoarding of key items including rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, petrol, and diesel. 'In order to safeguard public interest and maintain smooth availability of essential goods, I, Nishant Kumar Yadav, I.A.S., District Magistrate, U.T., Chandigarh, exercising the powers conferred upon me... hereby order the following,' the official notification states. The order mandates that all traders and stockists must declare their current stock to the Department of Food & Supplies within three days of the order. Failure to comply may attract legal action under the applicable provisions of the law. 'No person, traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities shall engage in the hoarding or stockpiling of essential commodities, food items including but not limited to rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, fuel including petrol and diesel,' mentioned the order. 'All traders and stockists shall declare their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh Administration, within three days of this order, read the order. The administration has also invited citizens to report any instances of hoarding, black marketing, or price manipulation. Amid intelligence inputs indicating a potential air strike threat from Pakistan, the District Magistrate of Ambala has imposed a complete ban on the use of inverters, generators, and other outdoor power backups during night hours to ensure public safety, according to the press statement. Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Friday assured the country that ample food was available for consumption. He said that the nation's agricultural reserves were at full said that while soldiers were posted at the border, the farmers were busy working in the fields. Chauhan informed the reporters about a new scheme being curated by the centre to increase crop production. 'As the agriculture department, our responsibility is to ensure food security. Our agricultural reserves are full. Whether wheat, rice or other grains, we have sufficient quantities. The soldiers are posted on the border, and farmers are in the fields. Scientists stand with them. We have curated a scheme to develop new dimensions of the production of Kharif crops. It is our responsibility to work with the farmers in the fields and increase production,' Chauhan told reporters in a press conference. His remarks come at a time when India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads against each other after terrorist camps were destroyed at nine locations in the neighbouring country under Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack. (ANI)
Mint
09-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Chandigarh: All shops, restaurants to shut down at 7pm today amid India-Pakistan conflict
Amidst tensions escalating at international borders between India and Pakistan since the past two days, the Chandigarh district administration on Friday has directed all the shop establishments including restaurants to be closed by 7 PM on Friday. However, the district administration gave respite to medical shops as these orders won't be applicable to them. Releasing an order, the Chandigarh administration took to X and wrote, 'All shop establishments including restaurants in Chandigarh are required to be closed by 7:00 PM today, May 9, 2025. However these orders will not be applicable for medical shops.' The District Magistrate of UT Chandigarh on Friday also imposed a ban on hoarding and stockpiling of essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act, 2023. The order has been passed to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential goods in the Union Territory and came into effect from zero hours on 9 May. Under this order, all individuals, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities have been barred from engaging in the hoarding of key items including rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, petrol, and diesel. "In order to safeguard public interest and maintain smooth availability of essential goods, I, Nishant Kumar Yadav, I.A.S., District Magistrate, U.T., Chandigarh, exercising the powers conferred upon me... hereby order the following," the official notification states. The order also mandates that all traders and stockists must declare their current stock to the Department of Food & Supplies within three days of the order. In case someone fails to do so, they may attract legal action under the applicable provisions of the law. "No person, traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities shall engage in the hoarding or stockpiling of essential commodities, food items including but not limited to rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, fuel including petrol and diesel," mentioned the order. "All traders and stockists shall declare their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh Administration, within three days of this order, read the order. The administration has also invited citizens to report any instances of hoarding, black marketing, or price manipulation.
India Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Don't hoard food, fuel, Chandigarh orders as India-Pak tensions spark panic buying
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Chandigarh Administration on Friday issued a strong warning against the hoarding of essential items, saying such actions were causing artificial scarcity, abnormal price rise, and could disrupt public a notice issued on May 9, the District Magistrate of Chandigarh said it had come to light that 'certain individuals, traders, and entities are engaged in the hoarding and unauthorised stockpiling of essential food items and fuel including petrol, diesel, and other daily necessities.'advertisementThe notice added that such practices were leading to 'artificial scarcity, abnormal price rise, and potential law and order issues,' and if not curbed, could 'cause disturbance to public peace, affect essential supplies, and disrupt normal life' in the Union Territory. To prevent this, the administration prohibited all forms of hoarding and stockpiling. 'No person, traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities shall engage in the hoarding or stockpiling of essential commodities,' the order stated. This includes rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oil, vegetables, milk products, medicines, and fuel like petrol and traders and stockists have been directed to declare their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies within three order will remain in force till July advisory comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. In the early hours of May 7, India had targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The government said the mission- codenamed Operation Sindoor- targeted only terror infrastructures and not Pakistan civilians or military the aftermath, Pakistan Army killed over 15 civilians in shelling across LoC, and on May 8 launched missiles and drones at several locations in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Pakistan's attempts were thwarted by India's air defence the situation has led to anxiety and rumours in several states over a potential shortage of food and fuel supplies. Responding to such concerns, Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday urged people not to panic or fall for rumours. 'We have more than enough stock of everything required across the country,' he said in a post on X, adding that there was 'absolutely no reason for anyone to rush to the markets.''In certain parts of the country, rumours are spreading, causing people to rush to collect essential food items and other daily necessities,' Joshi noted, but assured that the country's reserves were 'many times larger than what is needed.'Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also sought to allay such fears and said that there was no need to panic and the government would ensure that there are no black marketing."The Ministers in border areas and one more Minister deployed with them have to permanently make sure that black marketing is not happening in these areas. There is no need to worry about getting oil, queuing up at Petrol-Diesel pumps, or storing a lot of LPG cylinders. If you feel that someone is selling you goods at a higher price or indulging in black marketing, report it to the Deputy Commissioner or any government office... There is no need to panic," Mann Watch
News18
09-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Chandigarh Imposes Ban On Hoarding Of Essential Goods Amid India-Pak Tensions
Last Updated: The order targets individuals, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities, prohibiting them from hoarding or stockpiling items In light of escalating tensions and to prevent disruptions in the supply of essential goods, the District Magistrate of U.T. Chandigarh, Nishan Kumar Yadav (I.A.S.), has issued a strict order banning the hoarding and unauthorized stockpiling of essential commodities. The directive, issued under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, is effective from May 9, 2025, and will remain in force until July 7, 2025. The order targets individuals, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities, prohibiting them from hoarding or stockpiling items such as rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, and fuel (including petrol and diesel). All traders and stockists must declare their current inventory to the Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh Administration, within three days of the order's issuance. The order further stated that citizens are encouraged to report any hoarding, black marketing, or price manipulation to the Department of Food & Supplies at 0172-2703956. This preventive action aims to curb artificial scarcity, control abnormal price hikes, and maintain public peace and uninterrupted access to daily necessities. This move comes on the heels of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, marked by recent cross-border military action and retaliatory strikes. First Published: May 09, 2025, 15:23 IST
