Kolkata: Following directives from chief minister Suvendu Adhikari to curb artificial price inflation, joint teams of Kolkata and Bengal Police Enforcement Branch (EB) launched inspections across major wholesale and retail markets on Tuesday.The operations targeted key markets across north and south Kolkata, Bidhannagar and Lake Town along with various district markets. Officers monitored stock registers, verified retail markups, and evaluated the supply of essential kitchen commodities, including sugar, rice, cooking oil, garlic and onions.The enforcement drive follows a press briefing at Nabanna, where the CM flagged suspected market irregularities and warned of strict legal action against traders found illegally hoarding critical staples. In response to the administration’s warning, Lalbazar mobilized ten specialized EB teams on Monday.Inspections began across primary wholesale and retail distribution nodes, including Koley Market in Sealdah and Jadubabu’s Market in Bhowanipore. Officers conducted shop-to-shop audits, examining backroom storage facilities to check for unauthorized stockpiling.While recent surges in sugar prices served as the primary catalyst for the raids, inspectors extended their focus to track the supply and pricing of cooking oil, rice, and fresh produce to ensure overall market stability. In Kolkata, EB officers reprimanded a few sellers for selling much above the govt-mandated prices. EB sources said sugar prices saw at least a Rs 10 gap across markets in north Kolkata and sometimes even a Rs 8-12 gap when compared to rates in south Kolkata markets.In Bishnupur, Bankura, officials inspected fish markets as well as hotels. Apart from checking for illegal stockpiling, they also examined food safety standards. District officers examined both market pricing structures and compliance with food safety standards as part of a broader attempt to deter artificial shortages and stabilize local food supply chains. The multi-agency crackdown arrives amid a sharp escalation in the cost of basic household items over the last few weeks.
