Ponda, April 1, 2020: Residents of a major town in Goa have threatened to raid traders who sell commodities at exorbitant prices during the nationwide lockdown.
Shankar Naik, a resident of Ponda, alleged that the traders are taking undue advantage of the lockdown and the consequent rush for food, grocery and vegatables.
He suggested that government officers should raid such traders and prevent them from exploiting the general public.
Ponda, also known as Fonda, is 28 km southeast of Panaji, the state capital, and 17 km northeast of Margao, Goa’s commercial capital.
The town with numerous famous temples and rich cultural heritage, is considered Goa’s industrial center. It is home to many large factories and industrial estates. It is Goa’s fastest-growing city.
Several Ponda residents like Naik have complained that the town has experienced a severe shortage of essential commodities after the lockdown was imposed on March 25. This has caused panic among people; fearing that they might go hungry. Many rush to buy food items wherever they are available and whatever the price.
Naik said people fear the supply of commodities would run out and buy the essential commodities in bulk. This is another reason for hiking the prices by the grocery shop owners and vegetable vendors, he added.
Source: heraldgoa.in