EB raids on markets to keep prices of essentials in check

KOLKATA: The enforcement branch of Kolkata Police on Tuesday visited several markets in north and central Kolkata a day before the lockdown following allegations that people were being asked to buy vegetables at higher prices.
Cops interacted with buyers at Maniktala and College Street markets and asked the sellers about the reason behind sudden rise in prices. They also enquired about the wholesale markets.
The EB teams are likely to send reports in this regard to the police headquarters and finally Nabanna. The EB officials said they would be raiding the markets regularly before lockdown days to keep the prices in check. They collected the prices of essentials like rice, cereals and pulses in the past few days.
“We carried out the raids to ensure that there was no hoarding and that people were not charged above the maximum retail price. We also wanted to ensure that no shop was closed, causing inconvenience to people,” said a police officer, adding that they had enquired whether there had been short supply at Koley Market.