Big supermarkets fool customers in Ramadan; UT Khader vows crackdown

July 3, 2016

Bengaluru, Jul 3: U T Khader, the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, has warned of action against multi-brand retail outlets that are selling tur dal at high prices and fooling customers on the pretext Ramadan discount'.

Chairing a meeting on Saturday, where representatives of wholesaler associations and trade bodies like the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) participated, Mr Khader asked officials of his department to conduct surprise checks of the outlets.

Other multi-brand retail outlets like Adani and Reliance will also come under the scanner, the minister said, asking the officials to issue notices if outlets are found to be selling the lentil at such high prices.

At the meeting, it was learnt that multi-brand retail outlets are selling tur dal at Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kilogram with the MRP of Rs 315 being printed on the packs. The retail outlets are supposedly selling the lentil at the said rates on the pretext of offering a Ramadan discount'.

Mr Khader said the association had agreed to sell tur dal at Rs 130 per kg (regular quality) and Rs 145 per kg (premium quality) at select counters in wholesale markets. Tur dal will be sold at these rates for the next three months, so that prices are controlled.

Harsh Gupta, principal secretary of the department, said that Karnataka had sought 5,000 metric tonnes of tur dal from the Centre, and the consignment was expected to arrive next week. He said the department's powers to curb hoarding were limited to specifying/restricting stock limits to retail outlets.

A?trader has brought to the department's notice that the More supermarket chain was selling tur dal at high prices. “The price appears to be high. We will examine the matter and if it is found that consumer rights are being affected, then we will refer the matter to the consumer court.”

According to Gupta, the government cannot dictate terms' to independent businesses but can only put restrictions on the stock held.

Comments

It's not only Big Supermarket. But, all the markets including small shop, during Ramadan prices of each and everything shoots up. They know very well that Muslims will buy any stuff even if the prices are high. It's only LOOT MAAR

Good move...go ahead...

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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