PANJIM: Panjim municipal market is witnessing a sharp decline in number of shoppers due to the COVID-19 scare. However, the government-run general stores such as Sahakar Bhandar witnessed a mad rush of people who are concerned about the availability of their basic stock in coming days.
On Monday, the usual rush at the city market was missing with vendors complaining of a decline in number of customers. With fewer sales, the vendors are worried over the current stock of perishable items.
Though, the scare over availability of fruits and vegetables looms large, as they are being imported from neighbouring States, the prices remained reasonable for now.
“So far there is no shortage of vegetables in the market. We are getting enough stock. But, the number of customers has reduced by almost 40-50 per cent. The sale has been affected to a large extent,” a vegetable vendor said.
He said owing to less demand; the vendors are forced not to go for additional stock. “The challenge before us is also to preserve the vegetables, as people now want only fresh items,” he said.
The prices of veggies remained under control with potatoes sold at Rs 35 per kg, onion at Rs 40 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 30 per kg, green chillies at Rs 60 per kg, etc.
The fruit vendors also raised similar concerns.
“I have my regular customers, who visit me twice a week. But they haven’t tuned up for the last one week. People are avoiding coming to market but visit air conditioned super markets to buy stuff due to less crowd. They feel stocks in super markets are fresh,” a vendor said.
Some of the shops in the market also remained closed as a precautionary measure.
However, government-run super market witnessed rush, with people buying sufficient food stock, after there was rumours about the likely shortage.
When contacted, Horticulture Corporation chairman Pravin Zantye said there is no shortage of vegetables and urged people not to panic. “There is enough stock and the supply is also very smooth. People should not panic or fall prey to misinformation,” he said.
