Residents fail to connect with grocers on the UT list

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26

Though supply of essential items improved a bit today, many residents complained of getting poor response from contact numbers of grocery shops, which were released by the UT Administration yesterday for delivering ordered items on their doorstep.

The situation also led to gathering of crowd on roads in some parts of the city, defeating the purpose of social distancing for which the lockdown was ordered in the whole country.

The Administration had yesterday released a sector-wise list of 144 kiryana stores on its website. However, many residents found the numbers on waiting, switched off or unanswered.

“The arrangements are pathetic. I called up a grocery store owner, but his number was switched off. Either e-commerce stores should be allowed to operate or some responsible volunteers should be engaged to do the job,” tweeted an unhappy Sumit Rawat, a local resident.

Aman Arora, a local resident, said he was running out of flour, but could not get it as the phone number uploaded by the Administration was not working.

“Ideally, the Administration should have released the numbers of maximum grocery stores. Since, there are a few stores on the list, many residents failed to get the supply. I have been receiving calls from residents since morning. The authorities should have involved the area councillors for better arrangement,” said Congress councillor Devinder Singh Babla.

CRAWFED chairman Hardeep Puri said, “Various RWAs associated with us have complained that the grocery stores’ numbers are switched off or remain unanswered. Milk supply is normal. However, supply of vegetables and fruits is yet to be regulated. We appeal to authorities to involve RWAs.”

Social distancing not observed at Dhanas

Defeating the purpose of lockdown, a large number of Dhanas residents without wearing a mask came on roads to procure essentials.

“For three days, we are locked down. On Thursday, the social distancing norm failed in our locality as people rushed in hordes,” said Rajesh Kumar, a local resident.

A large number of vendors gathered near the MC office to obtain permission slips to sell essential items. They were without masks. “The authorities have contact details of all registered vendors. They could have been called in an organised way. By sitting on roads together, they are only inviting risk,” said Congress councillor Devinder Singh Babla.

Grocery stores flooded with calls

City grocery stores received an unprecedented number of phone calls for the supply of essential items on the first day of the start of home delivery of groceries.

A shopkeeper in Mani Majra said he received over 1,000 calls for the supply of food items since morning. At a time, there are more than 10 calls in waiting, he said, adding that after receiving orders, they would pack the items in bags and supply the same in a tempo on residents’ doorstep. He said they could supply the goods till the stock lasts. However, there was a problem in getting wholesale supply from the grain market.

A shopkeeper said he had to switch off his mobile phone after groceries ran out of stock. Most calls were made for procuring rice, wheat flour, edible oil and small items, said another shopkeeper.

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