In north Karnataka districts, normal life hit hard with full lockdown

HUBBALLI: With north Karnataka districts under strict lockdown since Saturday, residents are struggling to lead normal life in the absence of daily essentials including eggs, meat and other provisions.
With the respective district administrations announcing complete lockdown without giving enough time for the public to stock up on provisions, most families are managing with available items. On the other hand, some traders are hiking price for essential commodities and selling them illegally.
Speaking to TOI, Manjula Pujari, a homemaker from Gokul Road, Dharwad said officials announced full lockdown barring provision stores on Friday evening.
“They failed to recognise their lapses. The provision stores were already shut by 10am on Friday. We thought we can manage for two days. However they extended full lockdown till Wednesday pushing us to suffer,” she alleged.
Sunanda Kadame, a writer from Kalidas Nagar, Hubballi, said some traders are selling groceries closed doors, but at higher price. Anand Navalgund, a private firm employee, said he could not stock up on biscuits and bread for his kids before the lockdown was announced.
Prema Naduvinamani, a poet from Sampige Nagar, Dharwad said: “Daily workers buy groceries on daily basis. They are left without jobs during lockdown and now they are deprived of provisions. Officials must have thought about these people before imposing restrictions without giving them enough time.”
Measures being taken
“We have received many such grievances and have realised the issue. Many have complained that they are deprived of groceries due to sudden implementation of full lockdown. We are taking appropriate measures to ensure people are not deprived of essentials, said district minister Jagadish Shetttar.