Bihar: Salt price hike creates panic

Created On: 15 Nov 2013 5:23 PM IST

Bihar: Salt Price Hike Creates Panic, Salt Price Hike Rumour In Bihar, Bihar Govt Denies Shortage. Salt prices were jacked up in Bihar due to an outburst of certain rumors which government denied stating that there are enough of stocks and have ordered raids on hoarders.

Patna: Salt prices were jacked up in Bihar due to an outburst of certain rumors which government denied stating that there are enough of stocks and have ordered raids on hoarders. The prices have moved up to even at Rs 200 per kg. The state is already in crisis owing to steep rise in the retail prices of Onions and potatoes.

The JD(U) Bihar government has blamed BJP for the current situation. This was the outcome of the rumours that BJP ruled Gujarat has suspended the supply of salt due to acute political differences between the two state heads Nitish kumar and Narendra Modi. People of Bihar were panick -stricken on Wednesday as they were already struggling with onion and potato price hikes.

The rumours reportedly originating from northern Madhubani district, prompted shop keepers to hike the prices ranging between Rs Rs 20 to even Rs 150 and Rs 200 at some places by Thursday morning. Tens and thousands of people were forced to buy in large quantities at these rates in northern districts such as Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Supaul, Sheohar and Samastipur..

Shopkeepers and godown-owners at some places, having drawn the wrath of unruly crowds had to seek police help. “I have asked the officials concerned in the affected districts to check the spread of these rumours and take action against those responsible for the rise in price of salt,” said Bihar food and consumer affairs minister Shyam Razak. He blamed the BJP for the rumours and said a probe would find out how the rumours originated and spread.