Coronavirus: Shopkeepers hike prices in Haryana as people go in for panic-buying

Tribune News Service 
Chandigarh, March 26

In several parts of Haryana, a shortage of essential commodities was witnessed on Thursday. 

Coronavirus has failed to keep people indoors. People were seen stepping out to purchase day-to-day items as home-delivery was non-operational. 

Where Faridabad has fixed hours to shop, there wasn't a shortage of essential items. In a way to maintain the curfew, Kurukshetra has roped in Zomato to deliver essential items. Shopkeepers were witnessed taking advantage of the delicate situation, by increasing prices of basic commodities in Rohtak. In Karnal, the residents were forced out on the streets as the online-delivery services—which has been earmarked by the district administration—didn't pick up their calls. 

Faridabad:

Reports of no shortage of essential commodities in Faridabad, said officials. 

However, there has been a 15 to 25 per cent rise in the retail prices of commodities like wheat flour (Atta), according to some residents. 

Home delivery is missing in the majority of areas. 

The shopping hour time has been fixed between 11 am and 5 pm by the administration.

Kurukshetra:

The district administration has approved grocery and medical stores to remain open, and do home deliveries.

The administration has also roped in Zomato to deliver essential items. 

Grocery stores are witnessing a shortage of pluses, flour, branded tea, and edible oil. 

"Stocks of pluses, flour, Hafed oil, Tata tea, and other branded tea have started to decrease", said a grocery store operator. 

"A shortage of sugar also, but fortunately we have managed to get some stock today. Stocks of shampoo and handwash are not available", he added.

The distributors claim that they haven't been receiving fresh stock. 

Meanwhile, another grocery operator claimed that since the transport facility is unavailable, they are not receiving stocks. 

The traders at the Gur Mandi have also increased the prices of pluses from Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, due to the shortage of stock.  

Rohtak:

Essential commodities are available in Rohtak. Items like fruits, vegetables, groceries, and other ration materials are available so far. 

However, the prices of the commodities have increased, due to the limited supply. 

Several shopkeepers were seen taking advantage of the delicate situation by overcharging. 

Karnal: 

Coronavirus has failed to keep people in-doors. People were out on the streets buying milk and vegetables.  

The residents complained that online-delivery services—which has been earmarked by the district administration—haven't picked up calls, forcing them to come out and purchase daily need items.  

The Police were witnessed forcing people to return home. 

“I have tried five shopkeepers between 9 and 10 am today, but none of them pick up the call or call back. The authorities must chalk out any other mechanism for streamlining of the supply of daily need items at residents doorsteps,” said, a resident of Sector-13, KB Pandit.

Councilor of the ward, who has been assigned by the district authorities to assist the residents, Vir Vikram Kumar, admitted that he has been receiving calls from the residents that shopkeepers are not picking up the calls. 

“I will bring this issue to the notice of the DC so that it could be streamlined at the earliest,” he added.

Gurugram:

Gurugram police commissioner issued directions to all officials to allow operations of online delivery apps to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential items at the doorstep.

The intervention came when the authorities were thronged with a series of complaints stating that with police clamp down on delivery boys owing to lockdown had left many senior citizens and specially-abled in the lurch who could neither venture out nor could seek help.

Taking cognisance of the same commissioner Mohammad Akil went ahead allowing deliveries by Zomato, Flipkart, Amazon, Bluedart, Wow Express, Swiggy, Grofers, Big Basket, Milk Basket, Dunzo, Big Bazaar, and IFFCo Tokyo goods.

"Operations of companies and individual associated with the production, supply, and distribution of essential items are exempted from the lockdown. We have issued a written order to all DCPs, SHOs, crime unit, traffic police, and all police officers to allow service of online delivery companies and their employees for doorstep deliveries of essential items like groceries, milk and other items," said Gurugram police commissioner Mohammad Akil.

"We have specified the rates and will get all essentials in areas without grocery stores. Local Rwa's will regulate sale. Our sole motive is to minimize mobility and laos lockdown hassles. we have been in touch will stakeholders and will ensure no dearth of essentials" said DC Amit Khatri.

With part-time maids and other helps been barred from work a section of senior citizens and specially-abled have moved to the administration seeking help.

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