Mysore/Mysuru: With complaints on high prices of essential commodities after the enforcement of lockdown, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has warned traders and grocery shop owners against selling essential items and food grains at a higher price than stipulated.

In a press release, the Department’s Joint Director Shivanna said that the Department has received many complaints accusing traders and  shopkeepers of selling essential items such as food grains, edible oil, rice, cereals etc., at higher prices, by misusing the lockdown situation. 

Asking the traders to make essential items available to the public everyday, Shivanna warned them against hoarding of essential commodities and black marketing. 

Cautioning the traders against creating any artificial scarcity of essential items and articles of daily use, he said that a criminal case would be registered against traders and shopkeepers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Disaster Management Act, 2005, if they were found involved in hoarding and profiteering.