People rush to buy essentials ahead of three-day lockdown

NT NETWORK

Margao/Ponda/ Vasco

The people across the state, on Thursday, rushed to the nearby markets to buy the essential items, including milk, vegetables and fruits, ahead of the three-day lockdown.

The residents of Margao and neighbouring villages of Salcete were seen stocking up on the essential items.

Early on Thursday morning, people across the Salcete taluka were either lined up at markets in Margao or their respective villages to buy essentials due to the fear that there may be an extension of the lockdown after the three days already announced.

“We don’t know how long the lockdown would be. They have said three days now, but maybe after the three days they may extend it. It is better to have stocks of essentials  at home rather than worry,” said a person while buying groceries
in Varca.

Salcete’s coastal villages including Benaulim, Varca and Colva witnessed queues of people, standing outside grocery shops waiting for their turn to buy their requirements.

People were also seen at several fair price shops that distribute rice, wheat
and pulses.

Panchayats are however unaware of which services will remain open during the lockdown.

“We have been receiving many queries on whether or not the grocery shops will be open. There have not been any clear cut instructions issued by the government on what is being considered an essential service and what isn’t. Most of the grocery shops are following social distancing norm,” said Carmona sarpanch Allwyn Jorge.

He also said that the ten-day voluntary lockdown that was observed earlier last month after COVID cases were detected in the neighbouring villages has resulted in awareness among the residents.

“Our ten-day voluntary lockdown and public awareness campaign through social media and public announcements have created a sense of responsibility and seriousness among the people, including shop owners, who are now strictly following the guidelines, ”he said.

Meanwhile, Ponda people also ‘scrambled’ to stock up the essentials and were seen in panic-buying mode on
Thursday evening.

Hundreds thronged to the town market throwing the social distancing norm to the wind. Besides, the market, there were queues outside most of the grocery stores; fair price shops across  Ponda witnessed mad rush as food items are supplied only till 20th of every month.

“It was like Chaturthi bazaar situation in Ponda on Thursday with everybody rushing to stock up every possible food time” an hotel owner from upper bazaar said.

Some people even bought alcohol considering the Shravan month approaching fast, he said.

People from all over Mormugao taluka flocked to Vasco market to stock up on various essential items for the three-day lockdown.

Interestingly, following the announcement for  lockdown, prices of vegetables and spices
were hiked.

The vegetable vendors almost  doubled the rates.

Tomatoes, which were being sold for Rs  46 a kg, were being sold Rs 100 a kg. Likewise  price of potato moved to Rs 70 a kg from Rs 39 a kg, while a bunch of coriander was being sold for Rs 70, which was earlier being sold for Rs 25.

The fish market wore a deserted look in the evening as the fish stock got exhausted. And, following that demand for chicken and mutton went
up instantly.

A resident of Vasco Sanjay Redkar expressing his ire over the hike in prices said that “the concerned authorities should have acted strictly in controlling the prices of various items.”