Patna, Nov. 16: The food and consumer protection department plans to appeal to people, who bought salt at a premium following the scarcity rumour, to file cases in the district consumer courts.

Sources said today the appeal would be formally issued on Monday.

Department officials claimed today that things were back to normality and salt was being sold at its normal price.

“Neither any new arrest was made nor any fresh FIR was lodged today. The department would come up with a formal appeal on Monday under which people who have bought salt at high prices during the time the rumour was spread would be requested to go to the district consumer court and file cases against the shopkeepers or wholesalers from whom they bought the salt. Once that is done, the department would ensure strict legal action against them in the form of heavy fine or other punishment in accordance with law,” a department official told The Telegraph.

The rumour spread across the state yesterday with panic-stricken people buying packets of salt at high prices.

At places in Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Vaishali and Motihari districts, each kg of salt was sold for up to Rs 150.

The state government had acted fast and 21 persons were arrested from across the state on Friday for allegedly selling salt at exorbitant prices. A total of 15 FIRs were lodged at different police stations of the state.

“There is nothing to worry now. But then the department is alert and keeping a close eye on any kind of development. Many people have been cheated because of this rumour and those who have spread it have to be taken to task. People should come forward and go to the consumer courts in the districts and file cases against such people so that the department can identify them and action can be initiated,” the department official told The Telegraph.