The District Magistrate of Bilaspur, Rahul Kumar, I.A.S., has issued a comprehensive notification under the Himachal Pradesh Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order, 1977, regulating the maximum permissible margins on a wide range of essential commodities. This move aims to protect consumers and ensure fair trade practices within Bilaspur District.
Background
The notification, dated 27th September 2025, follows the Government of Himachal Pradesh’s prior notification No. FDS-A(3)-7/2016-I dated 9th May 2023. By invoking the Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order, the District Magistrate now regulates wholesale and retail profit margins for essential goods, superseding all previous notifications.
Schedule-I: Commodities and Their Profit Margins
The notification provides detailed profit margins on various commodities. Highlights include:
- Foodgrains (Wheat, Rice, Barley, Grams): Maximum wholesale margin 2.5%, retail 5.5%
- Gur, Shakkar & Khandsari: Wholesale 2.5%, retail 5.5%
- Sugar & Pulses (All types): Wholesale 2.5%, retail 5.5%
- Eggs: Wholesale 5%, retail 7.5%
- Bread: Wholesale 7.5%, retail 8.5% or as per printed rates
- Fruits and Vegetables: Margins vary; perishable vegetables can have up to 39% retail margin including all incidental charges
- LPG, Kerosene, Diesel, Meat, Chicken, Fish, Milk, Curd, Cottage Cheese: Prices to be fixed by the District Magistrate or competent authority
Note: Some items like cement, matchboxes, and soaps sold in packets have been omitted or regulated separately as per previous notifications.
Schedule-II and Schedule-III
Schedule-II: Baby food sold in packets has maximum price limits; other items like tea leaves in packets are omitted.
Schedule-III: Includes drugs, soaps in packets (omitted), and other foodstuffs, highlighting regulatory coverage.
Terms and Conditions
Key provisions for calculation and application of profit margins include:
- Dealers must account for all expenses such as purchase price, freight, taxes, loading/unloading, market fee, interest on capital, and other incidental charges.
- Wholesale and retail margins are applied distinctly, and wholesale margins are applicable only once per station.
- Minimum quantities define a wholesale transaction, e.g., 100 kg for foodgrains, 10 units for bread, 20 kg for fruits and vegetables.
- Specific rules for fruits and vegetables include issuance of Form R and Form Q for every transaction, displaying prices, and ensuring compliance by commission agents, retailers, and relevant authorities.
The notification emphasizes transparency, consumer protection, and strict enforcement by Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Deputy Superintendents of Police, and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs inspectors.
Implementation
The notification is effective immediately from the date of publication in the official Gazette, ensuring that Bilaspur residents benefit from regulated pricing and fair market practices.
Conclusion
This step by the Bilaspur District Magistrate strengthens consumer protection mechanisms and ensures that essential commodities are available at reasonable margins, reducing the risk of profiteering and hoarding in the region.