Coronavirus lockdown: Panchkula residents get milk, but veggies remain elusive

Most of the markets, barring chemists, departmental and grocery stores, remained closed to keep coronavirus at bay

Even as vendors with milk and bread turned up outside houses by 10am on Wednesday, people were left waiting for vegetable sellers, who have been allowed to go from door to door in Panchkula amid lockdown imposed to control Covid-19 outbreak.

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With gathering of five and more people banned in the district, the city wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors, amid strict police vigil through patrolling and CCTV surveillance. Shops, barring chemists, departmental and grocery stores, remained closed.

A few people were seen at inner sector markets stocking up on essential commodities or visiting banks, which were open till 2pm.

It was on Monday that the administration had decided to allow movement of vegetable vendors , and a list was prepared for each sector on Tuesday.

“No vegetable vendor assigned to our sector turned up on Wednesday,” said Rakesh Aggarwal, chairman of Lok Saravhitkari Society and a resident of Sector 12. “On making enquiries, we found that they are facing difficulty in visiting mandis in Chandigarh and Mohali to get the stock, as police are stopping them on the way.” Residents in other sectors also made similar complaints.

MATTER TAKEN UP WITH UT, MOHALI

It is learnt, the Panchkula administration on Wednesday took up the matter with its counterparts in Chandigarh and Mohali, asking them to allow free movement of vegetable vendors.

Panchkula deputy commissioner (DC) Mukesh Kumar Ahuja said that it is being ensured that essential services are provided to residents, and the lists of designated vegetable, milk and grocery vendors are being uploaded on the administration’s website.

Haryana chief secretary Keshni Anand Arora also took stock of the situation via video-conferencing and asked Ahuja to remain in touch with wholesalers and retailers to ensure easy availability of essential commodities.

‘EXERCISE WILL RUN SMOOTHLY FROM TODAY’

The Panchkula Marketing Board has authorised a shop — Khurana Trading Company — at the apple market in Sector 20 to remain open to sell fruit and vegetables.

“Also 35 vegetable vendors are being permitted to sell vegetables in designated sectors. The exercise will run smoothly from Thursday,” said board secretary Dharamender Pal.

The board has issued identity cards to the vendors, permitting them to move their tractor-trailers carrying vegetables in the city till April 15.

Sanitisers, gloves and masks have also been provided to them and instructions have been issued not to provide goods to more than four people at a time.

No person will be given more than 2kg of vegetables and fruit, said officials.

The district administration is also making efforts to provide ration to the homeless and daily-wage labourers.