Amid lockdown fears, price rise woes affect residents
Measures to check the price of essential commodities seem to be largely absent as shopkeepers and chemists have started selling necessary items at an increased cost
NEW DELHI: Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, measures to check the price of essential commodities seem to be largely absent as shopkeepers and chemists have started selling necessary items at an increased price in Noida and across certain markets in Delhi and adjoining regions. Some chemists are charging up to Rs 206 for 100 ml bottles of sanitizers whereas grocers are selling vegetables at marked-up prices.
In Dwarka, residents have said that prices of vegetables and groceries have increased by at least 20 percent. In sector – 7, the price of potatoes, for example, has reached Rs 50 per kg, earlier which was Rs 20 per kg. “All shops are also selling essentials at the printed price. We used to earlier get discount, however everything we are buying is at printed rates,” said Sunil a resident of Sector – 8 Dwarka.
Medicines are being sold at the printed price, while there is no rise in price for medical supplies. Other than that there has been a whopping rise in prices of fruits. Vendors who used to sell apples at Rs 115 per kg, are now selling it at Rs 180 per kg.
In East of Kailash, while grocery stores have hiked prices they have managed to remain as careful as possible. Several items like rice, pulses and other grains have been increased in price. In the Garhi market, rice that used to cost around Rs 30/kg is now sold at Rs 40/kg and the prices of pulses increased by Rs 5-7. Moreover, grocery stores in the area continue to have a low supply of liquid soap pouches and sanitisers. One storeowner said that he had to start rationing his supply by pouring one 500 ml bottle of sanitiser into five 100 ml bottles.
Rush was also seen at grocery stores after the PM announced a complete lockdown for 21 days starting 12 midnight on Tuesday. People were seen at the local grocery stores buying essential commodities and food items to prepare for their lockdown. Rush was also seen at ATM machines and people seen queueing up to get some cash. The local stores were seen selling food items and edible goods at slightly marked-up but reasonable prices and vegetables were also sold at fair prices in most parts of the market.
In South-east Delhi's Okhla Vihar the grocery stores said that the bread and some other items did not reach the stores amidst the lockdown. The uncertainties of the supply prevailed even though the Delhi Police have said that essential supplies would be maintained and the curfew passes would be given to those who are involved in the supply chain of essential commodities and goods. "Though we have some supplies stored at the house but even then I came to the store to buy some things that are remaining," said a buyer.
On the other hand, similar scenes were seen at grocery shops in Gurugram and Noida. Some shops in Noida are selling vegetables and food grains at increased prices. Gurugram also started seeing price hikes in light of a complete lockdown. Tomatoes, onions are being traded at Rs 50 per kilogram while peas are being sold at Rs 65 per kilogram. Not only the vegetables but the bulk purchasing from the grocery stores also resulted in an increase in the prices of pulses in the city. While half kg of white chana dal is being sold at Rs 50, half a kilo of arhar dal is being sold at Rs 70. A lot of the residents also took to social media to highlight the bulk purchasing.