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Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Vigilance and Enforcement Department has seized food grains and essential commodities worth approximately Rs 10.43 crore during a statewide drive against artificial scarcity, illegal hoarding, and arbitrary pricing. Launched on October 26, the operation involved extensive inspections across 250 markets and various localities in the state, resulting in the registration of 516 cases against violators.
Acting on the directives of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and orders from Vigilance and Enforcement Director General Harish Kumar Gupta, around 300 inspection teams were constituted for the crackdown. These teams carried out checks across wholesale and retail markets, rice mills, and godowns. The primary objective of the campaign is to monitor the availability, storage, and pricing of essential commodities while ensuring that consumers can purchase goods at fair rates.
Extensive Inspections Across Markets and Storage Units
During the drive, officials inspected 715 wholesale establishments, 17 rice mills, 13 godowns, and 145 retail shops. According to department officials, irregularities related to stock maintenance and pricing were detected at several locations. In five specific cases, authorities uncovered activities involving abnormal price hikes, creation of artificial shortages in the market, and illegal accumulation of goods, leading to the seizure of large quantities of essential stocks.
The seized inventory includes 160 tonnes of rice, 2,018 metric tonnes of paddy, 830 kilograms of pulses, 1,930 litres of edible oil, and 9.3 metric tonnes of turmeric, collectively valued at about Rs 10.43 crore. Additionally, officials confiscated 1,050 kilograms of commodities allegedly linked to illegal transportation. Authorities have initiated a detailed examination of the seized stocks and accompanying business records in connection with these cases.
Multi-Departmental Coordination and Market Monitoring
Department officials stated that market supply and price movements of essential commodities are being continuously monitored. During festivals, periods of increased demand, or supply disruptions, certain traders attempt to withhold stocks to maximize profits, thereby creating artificial shortages and forcing ordinary consumers to pay inflated prices. To counter such practices, the department is scrutinizing stocks held by wholesalers, retailers, rice mill operators, and godown owners.
The Vigilance and Enforcement Department clarified that the inspection drive will continue in the coming days. Strict action will be taken against traders involved in illegal hoarding, overcharging beyond fixed or fair prices, and black marketing. Whenever necessary, joint operations are being conducted in coordination with officials from the Civil Supplies, Commercial Taxes (GST), Food Safety, Legal Metrology, Revenue, and Police departments.
Warning of Strict Action Under PD Act
Director General Harish Kumar Gupta affirmed that stringent measures will be taken against those engaging in hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities. He warned that in serious cases, the department will not hesitate to invoke the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against offenders to curb practices that disrupt market availability and place an economic burden on the public.
Officials noted that inspections are not limited to verifying physical stock levels at business premises. Teams are also auditing purchase and sale records, storage documentation, and movement logs of commodities to determine whether goods are being deliberately withheld despite adequate supply or used to charge above-market rates. Warning traders against obstructing essential supplies or exploiting consumers, the department reiterated that checks across markets and storage centers will persist to maintain price stability and adequate stock availability.
