A ruler should be a true servant of his subjects who should be always thinking about their welfare..!

Mian Nawaz Sharif what are YOU doing for your subjects?

An eye opening TOI news published today, about the Indian PM that how much he is worried about his people’s welfare..!

Set up special courts to try hoarders, PM Narendra Modi tells states

NEW DELHI: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged states to set up special courts for speedy trial of hoarders and black-marketers and stressed on the need for the Centre and states to launch coordinated efforts to deal with any possible adverse impact of weak monsoon rain.

The government has taken several steps in the past few weeks to tame inflation and Modi brainstormed with senior ministers, officials and weather office experts to review the progress of the monsoon and steps taken to contain price pressures.

Taming inflation has been identified as a top priority by the NDA government and it is keen to ensure that it does not remain a policy headache during its term. Recent data had shown a spike in inflation but the government has moved in swiftly to ensure it is contained.

Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) apprised the PM of the monsoon situation. “They said though the monsoon has been delayed, rainfall is likely to improve substantially in the months of July and August,” said a statement from the prime minister’s office.

READ ALSO: Monsoon rains to improve after July 7, govt says

The ministry of Agriculture has prepared a contingency plan for more than 500 districts to deal with patchy rains. “Modi stressed on the need for both Centre and States to proactively mount a coordinated effort in implementing the advance action plan for the monsoon, with districts, rather than states, being the unit of planning,” the statement said.

The PM emphasized on ensuring adequate power and seed availability for the agricultural sector, and directed that NREGA be used to generate rural employment, if necessary.

The Modi administration has called for strict action against hoarders and black marketers. Hoarding has been identified as key factor for the sharp uptick in prices. States have a tardy record of arresting and prosecuting hoarders and the conviction rate is dismal. Government data showed that while 5,132 people were arrested for such acts in 2013 up to October, only 2,468 were prosecuted and the number of convicted was 966.

Besides sending a strong message to hoarders, the government has also taken a raft of measures to ensure availability of food items across the country. The Modi government imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of Rs 2,700 ($ 450) per tonne for potato on Thursday to keep a check on exports. Annually, around 1-2 lakh tonnes of potatoes are exported from the country.

Food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan reiterated the government’s resolve to fight against hoarders. “It’s only because of speculation prices are rising despite we have huge food stock, potato and onion,” he added.

Official said the government will ensure stable supplies of onions and potatoes in the market.

“This will ensure that there is enough availability of the two main kitchen items in the domestic market. As such Delhi has been flooded with onion and prices have stabilized. We have to keep a close watch on onions in July when the supply at mandis reduces significantly,” consumer affairs secretary Keshav Desiraju said.

Within hours after Modi held a detailed review of the monsoon and food inflation progress, the Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth decided to hold a review meeting of Committee of Secretaries on Friday on the government’s preparedness in case of a deficient monsoon.

The government is also stepping up its vigil with the Cabinet secretary reviewing the price and monsoon situation every fortnight against the earlier practice of a monthly meeting. While Central Water Commission has asked states to prepare their crop plan keeping in mind the water stored, the drinking water and sanitation ministry has asked states to submit detailed contingency plans including identifying new bore wells and open wells, high yielding agricultural bore wells for hiring and possibility of transporting water through special trains to areas which may be affected due to scanty rains.

States have also been asked to prepare adequate plans with route maps to supply safe drinking water through tankers for vulnerable villages. The PM also reviewed the position of water reservoirs and fodder stock. He urged that maximum possible use be made of the existing water resources, and best practices in rainwater harvesting.

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