Team Herald
MARGAO: In the commercial capital, the New Market and SGPDA market remained closed. However the vegetable and fruit vendors in the Gandhi Market carried out their business as confusion prevailed over the lockdown and the Collector’s order was in variance with what the Prime Minister said while announcing the nationwide lockdown.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that essential commodities will be made available to the public and the Gandhi Market vendors took advantage of this to carry out their business. However, as the collector’s order was silent on essential commodities, MMC did not open the New Market while SGPDA too closed its market.
“We have not received any instructions to enforce the lockdown,” said one of the constables when asked why they were not closing down the stalls.
At SGPDA market, a vegetable vendor opened his stall but he had to shut down as angry purchasers called up the police since he was selling items at exorbitant rates. The vendor was selling all vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes and onions for Rs 100 per kg and agitated with this, some purchasers called up the police following which, he closed his shop and left the market.
However, milk vans were seen parked at the parking space of SGPDA market and selling milk packets for which there were quite a few takers. Four packets were sold for Rs 100.
The Police Advisory stated that police would be stopping people moving on the streets, but in Margao, the traffic police were in fact monitoring the traffic. The Traffic Police were seen regulating traffic at the MMC building junction and Hospicio junction.
Meanwhile, Quepem Police tried to close down the petrol pump operating at Paroda. However, the pump owner said that they have not received any instructions to close the pump.
The policemen said if the petrol pump was actually closed they would be able to stop the youth who were moving around giving excuses to refuel their bikes.
vendors selling goods at higher rates: ponda locals
PONDA: It turned out to be a damp Gudi Padwa for Pondaites on Wednesday as most shops remained closed in the town.
On fourth consecutive day of lockdown to fight COVID-19, people were reported to be moving desperately to get their hands on the essential items but their efforts went in vain.
However, some managed to get groceries and vegetables from vendors in secret but at double the prices. Most families failed to buy the cloth required for the flag.
It may be recalled that on Tuesday, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for nationwide lockdown, Ponda residents resorted to panic buying which resulted in shortage of essential commodities.
Many people complained of vegetable vendors taking advantage of the shortage by selling goods at double the rates.
Meanwhile, Ponda Police and Traffic Police took strict action against motorists for moving freely on road without any reason as some vehicles were attached.
Police drive people away
from Bicholim market
BICHOLIM: Most people in Bicholim remained indoors on Wednesday. However, the police had to use force in the town market to drive some people away.
After the government announced a 21-day lockdown, there was panic among the people in Bicholim. Worried at maintaining the families during lockdown, many people rushed to the marked in the morning to purchase basic necessities, but only to find that shops were closed. The police had to use force to drive away some of the non-Goans who were in groups in the market area.
Some of the locals also assisted the police in the drive. The Sanquelim Municipal Council through social media circulated the details of the milk outlets, grocery shops and vegetable vendors. SMC Chairman Dharmesh Saglani thorough his post also announced that SMC would supply free food to the needy. The phone numbers of the councillors were also provided and the needy were asked to call a day in advance for the food requirements. The people maintained proper distance while they were standing in queue near the pharmacies. A special meeting was also held in the BMC chaired by Chief Officer Vivek Naik where the measures to help the people were discussed.
Shops selling essential goods
remain shut in Curchorem
CURCHOREM: All the establishments including shops selling essential commodities remained closed except medical stores and petrol pumps in Curchorem on Wednesday, the fourth day of Janta Curfew declared by the government to arrest the spread of coronavirus.
As government extended the total lockdown period after some grocery shops and other essential commodities stores remained open till 11 am on Tuesday, some people on Wednesday morning were seen moving in the market in search of their basic necessary requirements; but they had to return disappointed.
“ATMs are open but not a single shop is open. Petrol pumps are open but movements are restricted. What people will do with money and petrol if the essential commodities are not available to them,” asked a citizen, who came for shopping and requested the government to make a proper plan before declaring total lockdown so that people do not suffer to get their daily food.
According to police, the day was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported at the police station.
Meanwhile, Principal of Guardian Angel Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Fr Joaquim Rebello welcomed the decision of nationwide lockdown and requested the staff and students to stay in their houses along with their families and pray.
“Being at home we can save our nation and the world. We are in a very difficult time like no other in the history of mankind. I am sure that the government will reach out to each and every citizen of this country to understand and solve their difficulties,” Fr Rebello said and informed that all the programmes/activities like TNG list, collection of hall tickets, practical and theory examinations stand suspended till further orders.
