<span style="color: #222222;">Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday asked the officials to keep a strict watch on prices of essential commodities in the States and UTs. The Minister asked them to ensure that adequate stock of relevant commodities be maintained to create a buffer to cushion the unusual price shocks and keep prices stable. He said that the Provisions of Essential Commodities Act to be enforced by States if any Miller, Wholesaler or Retailer tries to take undue advantage of the COVID-19 situation and hoards the essential commodities. Mr Goyal stated this while reviewing the provisions for keeping the prices of essential commodities in check.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On Tuesday, Department of Consumer Affairs Secretary had also taken meeting with Principal Secretaries of States to tell them about the need to maintain the prices of Essential Commodities at fair levels. The direction was also given to all the Stockholders including millers, traders and importers to declare the stocks of pulses. </span><br />''  <br />