NEW DELHI : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all the states to ensure the availability of essential goods during the 21-day national lockdown period by fixing stock limits and capping of prices.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all the state Chief Secretaries to take urgent steps to ensure availability of the essential goods by invoking provisions of the Essential Commodities (EC) Act 1955.
Bhalla's instruction aims to maintain "smooth supply of essential items" in the country amid the novel coronavirus pandemic that has claimed 149 deaths and over 4,500 confirmed cases across the country. "These measures include fixing of stock limits, capping of prices, enhancing production, inspection of accounts of