Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Amid signs of weakening monsoon and soaring inflation and food prices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on states to set up special courts for speedy trial of hoarders and black-marketeers.
Inflation in May rose to a 5-month high of 6.1 percent on rising prices of essential food items like vegetables, fruits and cereals.
Moreover, amid weakening signs of monsoon and the crisis in Iraq, it is highly expected that food prices may go up higher.
Reacting on the May inflation data, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley attributed it partly to withholding of food stocks by traders.
The rise in prices of food articles can also be attributed to withholding of stocks on account of apprehension of a weak monsoon," he had said.
Holding a meeting with top NDA ministers to identify measures that are needed to be taken to contain spiralling inflation and ensuring food security, Modi said there should be a close coordination between the centre and states on implementing contingency plans.
He also asked the states to set up fast-track courts to deal with hoarders and black-marketeers.
The meeting, which was held at the 7 RCR, was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
During the meeting he also informed that monsoon was delayed but that it was likely to improve in the next two months.
With Agency Input
