Milk products, fish, veggies run out of stock in capital

PANJIM: Chief Minister’s assurance was literary ignored as long queues were witnessed outside all the shops, mini-stores and even kiosks since early Saturday morning. 

In a video message, Sawant appealed to the people to “not rush to markets to buy groceries and other essential items”. He reiterated that all essential services and shops will remain open from 7 am to 1 pm daily during the curfew. 

Grocery store owners said packs were “flying off” shelves in the capital and there were serpentine queues in front of liquor shops at various standalone small outlets. 

“Many products are almost running out of stocks and our top priority is to ensure we keep stocks replenished for the remaining days as well,” Anand Kerkar, owner of a grocery shop in Panjim said. Milk products, fish and vegetables at various stores had run out of stock. 

President of All Goa Liquor Traders’ Association Dattaprasad Naik said 75 per cent wine shops voluntarily closed their business since May 1 while smaller shops were open for liquor sale. 

Hundred per cent closure of Panjim municipal market for six continuous days caused inconvenience to the public, some of whom complained of non-availability of fish and meat products. 

“People are already in panic buying mood even after circulating that video in which Chief Minister said “total lockdown mhanok na haven, ahhh?” If total lockdown was announced 2 aytarche bazaar ek shenvarak karun sodpache,” said a Twitter user Sujeet Khope. 

With serpentine queues across every street, lane and by-lane; some angry citizens took to social media to school the insensitive public. 

“Now to whom we should blame. This shows our people’s seriousness towards fighting COVID-19. Along with citizens rights they should also exercise their citizens’ duties as well. Very disheartening to see such pics. Now Opposition should come and answer this,” Alok Jha, posted while reacting to pictures of crowded places on Twitter. Another Twitterati Harsh took a dig at Chief Minister stating, “Bhivpachi garaz na”. 

Serpentine queues in and around Margao

MARGAO: Fearing shortage of commodities during the curfew period, consumers lined up to buy essential items at the shops in and around Margao town.

Consumers thronged the Goa Bagayatdar Bazaar, Arlem, South Goa Planning and Development Authority market, Fatorda, and other places. There were reports of large gatherings outside the grocery shops in the neighbouring areas. Magsons at Fatorda and Borkar shopping malls too witnessed long queues. 

A citizen said he feared there could be shortage of essentials items during the curfew period. 

When it was brought to his notice that the government has not ordered to shut the grocery shops he remained silent. 

Very few people were seen in New Market and Gandhi Market as most shops remained shut. But, the wholesalers of essential items were open and vendors had seen rushing to buy the stock at these stores.  

Sources informed that police forced a few shop owners to down their shutters for failing to manage the social distancing amongst customers in Raia. 

‘Festival shopping’ in Ponda markets!

PONDA: The markets in Ponda taluka were so crowded on Saturday as if the people were engaged in festive shopping for Chaturthi or Diwali. 

To avoid last year’s bitter experience during the lockdown, consumers thronged Goa Bagayatdar Bazaar, Ponda market, Marcel bazaar, etc, and resorted to panic buying. 

People criticized the police and municipality officials for closing the Ponda vegetable market at around 9.30 am citing the rush and accused the officials of failing to take action against the huge crowd gathered in front of Goa Bagayatdar Bazaar since early morning. 

The vegetable vendors complained that Goa Bagayatdar was doing brisk business while they were asked to shut their shops.

Later social media platforms were abuzz with photos/ videos of the massive crowd. 

Fair price shops, sweet marts, other vegetable shops and petrol pumps too witnessed serpentine queues.

Taking note of the rush at Goa Bagayatdar Bazaar at Ponda, Chairman and former MP Adv Narendra Sawaikar urged the people not to resort to panic buying and urged them to maintain discipline. Goa Bagayatdar Bazaar has sufficient stock of commodities and will be open during the curfew from 7 am to 1 pm as assured by Chief Minister.

Vasco sees a mad rush for essentials 

VASCO:  A mad rush of consumers was reported in the port town on Saturday evening with people thronging the markets and shops to purchase essential items, medicines and others. 

A consumer at the vegetable market said she came to purchase veggies, chicken and other commodities. “I don’t visit crowded places, but I have no option but to make purchases,” she said. 

Another resident said, “I feel many people following reports of the 15-day curfew have rushed to the market and resorted to panic buying to avoid any inconvenience. Now, that I have reached a bit late, I will have to buy whatever I can because tomorrow we may not get the items required or the prices of the commodities may increase during the curfew period “.

Last minute shopping in Sanguem

SANGUEM: General stores were “flooded” with consumers who resorted to last minute purchases for grocery items.

The morning session was extremely busy for the grocery stores in the town as many people created a mad rush as if the shops would remain closed for the next fortnight.

The people from remote areas appeared to have misunderstood the curfew announced by the Chief Minister and that the grocery stores would remain open in the morning session.

Safety norms such as social distancing were violated as people made a beeline as they feared that the general stores would run out of supply.

Serpentine queues were witnessed at the gas agency in Sanguem in the morning.

However, a few hours later, the people returned home after the gas agency owner told them that the agency will be open during curfew period.

Rush for essentials in Curchorem

CURCHOREM: Many people rushed to the Curchorem market to buy essential commodities on Saturday.

Most shops were closed while the shops selling essentials including the fish market were open. People were seen purchasing fruits and vegetables from street vendors.

Expressing concern over increasing COVID cases and deaths, Curchorem Merchants’ Association president Rocha Pereira said, “It is need of the hour to take some drastic steps to arrest the pandemic spread. The government must not allow essential commodities stores to open every day. People simply rush to the market anticipating total lockdown. 

Rocha called for keeping these shops open only on alternate days, from 7 am to 12 noon and requested for a daylong total market shutdown.

Beeline of consumers in Pernem, Bardez

MAPUSA: Consumers of Bardez and Pernem on Saturday made a beeline outside grocery stores, super markets, etc, in both the talukas.

Social distancing norms were violated as people queued up outside grocery stores, super market, shops selling chicken, eggs and fish.