Ensure there's no food grain shortage, says Assam minister

Anup Dutta | TNN | Updated: Apr 12, 2020, 14:03 IST

JORHAT: The government has directed the deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure storage of food grains and other essential commodities for at least one month from Saturday in order to prevent any shortage during lockdown.
Addressing a press conference at Jorhat on Saturday, state food and civil supply minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, who was accompanied agriculture minister Atul Bora and assembly speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami, said, "Our government has asked the DCs of all districts to store food grains and other essential items for at least one month from today (Saturday) so that people do not suffer due to any shortage during lockdown."
He added, "As per preliminary reports from the districts, there will be no shortage of food grains and other essential goods in the state. There is adequate supply of all essential commodities in all districts and we have nothing to worry about."
In response to a question on the unusual price rise of essential commodities in the state, Choudhury said that strict action would be taken against all unscrupulous businessmen and the government has asked the concerned authorities to take strict legal action to prevent price rise. "We have directed to take strict legal action against the traders involved in inflating prices of essential commodities across the state. We have already sealed three godowns in Golaghat district due to such irregularities and legal action has been initiated against them," he said.
Agriculture minister Atul Bora said schemes under the agriculture department will be continued during lockdown and social distancing protocols respected.