Flying squads make surprise visits to groceries to keep tab on prices of essentials

April 28: Following public complaints and some reports in the media about the rise in prices of essentials, members of the flying squads are making surprise visits to the groceries to keep prices under check. A flying squad team headed by Executive Engineer, Irrigation, Omprakash Ghosh visited some groceries at Lala town, Aenakhal and Bowerghat on Tuesday and took stock of availability of essential commodities, checked the price list, registered public complaints and checked other parameters, including hygiene and social distancing. The team detected some irregularities in a fair price shop at Lala town.

Another flying squad team led by Subdivisional Agriculture Officer, Dr.AR Ahmed made surprise visits at Hailakandi town bazaar, Lakshmisahar, Narainpur, Ujankupa, Bhatirkupa, Sibuttar, Boalipar, Lakshirbond, Nitainagar, Purbo Sunapur, Ratanpur and Rangauti. It found two fair price shops at RP Road at Rangauti selling onion at higher rates and issued a stern warning.

The flying squads constituted for the four revenue circles of Hailakandi district by an order issued by Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli on April 13 has been asked to monitor sale and distribution of essentials in the retail and wholesale markets as well as oversee sanitation and hygiene aspects. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Khaleda S. Ahmed is coordinating with the flying squads and overseeing the entire exercise.

Dr. Ahmed has urged people to contact district control room numbers 7002904530/9401442632/ 6026824232 if they detect any anomalies and irregularities. The district administration has asked the flying squads to take along with them police personnel while conducting raids and surprise visits and to register FIR in case of any fraudulent or corrupt practices by retail and wholesale dealers.