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HCM City hunts spreaders of gas price increase rumour
The false rumour about the increase of the gas price originated in Binh Tan district and then spread to other districts in HCM City, said Nguyen Thi Hong, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee on August 6.
Nguyen The Thong, Chief of the HCM City Market Control Department, confirmed that the rumour of the increase of gas prices started from two filling stations in Binh Huong Hoa ward, Binh Tan district. However, these filling stations will not be punished till clear evidence is discovered.
Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan was displeased that officials of Binh Tan district didn’t timely report the situation to the municipal authorities on August 5.
Quan asked authorities of Binh Tan district to join forces with police to hunt the spreaders of the false rumour, which made local people confused.
“While the entire country is trying to control inflation, spreading a false rumour like this is unacceptable. The police must prosecute the rumour spreaders,” Quan emphasised.
Quan also asked districts to report market and price situations in their areas to the HCM City People’s Committee before 3pm everyday.
Vice Chairwoman Hong said that around one month ago some people planned to spread a false rumour about a gas price increase but the local authorities timely prevented them.
At around 3pm on August 5, some filling stations in HCM City suddenly got crowded when hundreds of people gathered to buy gas, after hearing the rumour that the gas price would increase soon. Filling stations were crowded till 6pm, when the rumour was announced to be false.
This is the second time this year HCM City people have been victimized by a rumour. In late April, there was false rumour that the rice price would go up.
HCM City has decided to design a plan to cope with “abnormal changes in prices and the market”, said a senior official.
The local Department of Industry and Trade will combine with the Finance Department to build a cooperation mechanism between related agencies to deal with sudden changes. The Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs will make a quick response plan in case prices really change.
VNN
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