Vigilance sleuths conduct raids against illegal hoarding of edible oils

Vijayawada: In response to reports of traders exploiting the recent customs duty increase on edible oils and the heightened demand during the festival season, sleuths of the Vigilance & Enforcement (V&E) department conducted surprise inspections across the state. The raids targeted unauthorized hoarding, trading of adulterated edible oils, and the sudden increase in prices of Palmolein oil and other edible oils.

Under the direction of Harish Kumar Gupta, director general of V&E dept, regional vigilance enforcement officers carried out coordinated raids in 26 districts. A total of 43 teams inspected 92 premises, focusing on millers, stock holders, and retailers suspected of engaging in illegal activities that contribute to price hikes and adulteration of edible oils.

During the raids, officials seized 14,293 liters of edible oil, 89,250 kilograms of groundnut seeds, and 298 bags of groundnut cake, totaling Rs 1.75 crore. Fines amounting to Rs 5.14 lakh were imposed on the offending traders. Furthermore, authorities registered 70 cases under the Legal Metrology Act, 16 cases under the Food Safety Act, and one case under the Essential Commodities Act.

Harish Kumar Gupta stressed the importance of such actions to prevent traders from causing undue hardship to the public through illegal hoarding and adulteration practices, which ultimately burdens common consumers. The department issued a warning to traders against engaging in such activities and emphasized that surprise raids will continue across the state to ensure compliance and safeguard consumer interests.