Take action against wheat stock hoarders: Maru

Mumbai, May 23 (UNI) All India Essential Commodity Merchants' Association Navin Maru today said wheat prices have so far not come down below Rs 20 per kg for inferior quality and called for stern action against stock hoarders, particularly corporate traders and foreign investors, accusing them of supplying it to all leading malls and big department stores across the country.

He was reacting to the record wheat procurement by government agencies which has crossed the 20.71 million tonne mark.

He said ''There is still a gap of at least 25 per cent between supply and demand, which is not matching at the domestic prices. The government should take stern action against stock holders, articularly corporate traders and foreign investors, whom they supply to all leading malls and big department stores across the country.'' Mr Maru pointed out that whenever prices essential commodities like wheat, rice, pulses, edible oils, sugar and others soar, the excise officers harass small traders, but they never take any action against big operators and foreign investors.

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