Page 572 - ES 2020-21_Volume-1-2 [28-01-21]

Prices and Inflation 199

Power of State Government after amendment
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 has not curbed the powers of the State
Governments to enforce stock limits on essential commodities or take actions on hoarders and
profiteers. The state would still exercise all its powers including issuance of permits, licences,
etc. for regulating the production, distribution, supply, movement, transportation, etc. of the
essential commodities. This is amply clear from the advisory issued on Oct 29, 2020 to all states
suggesting that three days’ time after purchase of onion from Mandis be allowed for packing,
grading etc., before any action is taken in pursuance to the order imposing stock limits.