Pondicherry, Apr 18: Flying squads were being formed in Pondicherry to check hoarding by merchants following the indefinite stir by truckers. "Flying squads are being formed to ascertain whether merchants are exploiting the situation caused by strike of truck operators," Pondicherry local administration and civil supplies minister A Elumalai told reporters here today.

He said cases would be booked "without fear or favour" against all those violating provisions of National Security Act under which the strike has been declared as "illegal". Elumalai said it would be ensured there was no hoarding or exploitation by any section of merchants and that he would personally make surprise visits in this regard.

Chief secretary R Padmanabhan said the administration has instructed there should be rationing of petrol at two litres for two-wheelers and five litres for other automobiles. Each diesel vehicle would get 20 litres, he said.

The government owned Papsco and Papsic had been geared up to procure vegetables and also petroleum products so that no section of consumers faced any difficulty. Bureau Report