No salt shortage, will act against hoarders: Delhi government

New Delhi: With the ‘salt-shortage’ rumours doing rounds, the Delhi government on Saturday issued orders of crackdown against hoarders and black marketing of essential food commodities in the national capital. Delhi police also said it would take strict action against those who spread rumours about currency notes or food items like salt on social media.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a control room with helpline number 011-23370841 to solicit complaints of overcharging. The control room will function from 8 am to 10 pm.

The food and civil supplies minister, Imran Hussain, said that there is no shortage of salt in the city and urged Delhiites to not pay any attention to rumours in this regard. A government statement said: “In view of the rumours of shortage of salt in Delhi, the minister convened emergency meetings on Friday night and on Saturday morning with the commissioner (food & supplies and weight & measures) and other senior officers of the department, since it was reported that Delhi region is facing acute shortage of salt and shopkeepers were selling it at higher prices.” After rumours of salt shortage spread in the city like wildfire, Mr Hussain, along with officers of F&S and W&M department, conducted surprise inspections in Old Delhi during late hours on Friday. But no such incident of over-charging was noticed during inspections.

Another instance of rumour surfaced wherein it was said that in Chandni Chowk, owing to large crowds outside ATMs, there was a stampede in which four people were injured. Negating this news, DCP (North) Madhur Verma, in a series of tweets wrote: “There is no stampede outside any #Bank or #ATM in #ChandniChowk. Please don’t spread or come under the influence of any #Rumour! We will also be taking cognisance of all social media accounts which are spreading #Rumours!! It’s an offence under section 505 of IPC. (sic),”