With rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Chandigarh Administration issued a strong warning on Friday about hoarding essential goods. The authorities said this behavior is creating fake shortages, causing prices to increase, and could disturb public order. In a notice dated May 9, the District Magistrate of Chandigarh stated that certain people, traders, and businesses have been hoarding essential items like food and fuel, including petrol and diesel, without permission.
The Chandigarh Administration issued a notice on May 9, warning that hoarding of essential goods is causing fake shortages, price hikes, and could lead to law and order problems. The notice stated that such actions could disrupt normal life, affect essential supplies, and disturb public peace in the Union Territory.
To prevent this, the administration has banned hoarding and stockpiling of essential items, including rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, oil, vegetables, milk products, medicines, and fuel like petrol and diesel. The order applies to all traders, wholesalers, retailers, and business entities.
All traders and stockists are required to report their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies within three days. The order will remain effective until July 7.This advisory comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The government clarified that the operation aimed only at terror infrastructure and not civilian or military targets in Pakistan.
Following the recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, including cross-border shelling and missile attacks, there has been growing concern over potential shortages of food and fuel supplies in several states. Pakistan’s army killed over 15 civilians in shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and launched missiles and drones at locations in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. However, India’s air defence system successfully thwarted these attacks.
Amid these concerns, Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi reassured the public on May 9, urging people not to panic or believe in rumours. He emphasised that India has more than enough stock of essential items, including food and fuel, and there is no reason to rush to the markets. Joshi clarified that rumours about shortages were spreading in some parts of the country, but the reserves were much larger than what is needed.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also addressed these fears, assuring residents that there was no need to panic. He stressed that the government would take measures to prevent black marketing, particularly in border areas. Mann further encouraged people to report any cases of black marketing to local authorities and assured them there would be adequate supplies of oil, fuel, and LPG cylinders.