AP Govt to act tough against hoarders:Minister

Hyderabad, Apr 18 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government will take stern action against hoarders by stepping up raids from tomorrow on private godowns as part of efforts to curb price rise, State Marketing Minister M Mareppa said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the Government would not hestitate to book criminal cases against hoarders, trying to create artificial scarcity of rice, edilble oil and pulses in the market.

''From tomorrow, the Joint Collectors of all districts have been instructed to conduct surprise raids to unearth hoarding of essential commodities by unscruplous traders,'' he added.

Mr Mareppa said the Government would constitute two committees, consisting of three ministers each, to look into the soaring prices of essential commodities.

The officials concerned would ensure availability of vegetables and other items in Rythu Bazaars at free of cost, he added.

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