Tensions with Pak trigger panic buying

People rushed to buy groceries and fuel in the city today despite warning from the UT Administration against hoarding of essential commodities.

Most of the department stores witnessed huge crowds. Sanjay Gupta, owner of a grocery store in Manimajra, said, “People rushed to purchase food items in panic.” He even assured them that there was no shortage but they were not ready to listen, he said, while adding that he ran out the wheat flour stock by afternoon.

According to reports, some shopkeepers were charging more than usual prices for groceries.

Soban Singh, a milk vendor, said he went out of stock as people bought nearly double their normal daily needs.

Ranjit Singh, a resident of Sector 19, said he was a senior citizen and had no option but to stock food items for at least a month fearing a full-scale war with Pakistan.

Rajinder Kaur, a resident of Sector 27, said there was no milk stock with online e-commerce platforms in the morning.

Most petrol pumps witnessed long queues of motorists since morning and a few stations went dry by the evening. Randhir Singh, a software engineer, said it took nearly an hour to get his fuel tank fill.

According to the orders issued by District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav, no person, trader, wholesaler, retailer or business entity shall hoard essential commodities, including rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines and fuel. All traders and stockists have to declare their current stock to the Department of Food and Supplies within three days, he added.

Chandigarh