After Rush in markets, Assam Government to close vegetable markets across State

* Grocery shops to provide vegetables, fruits, eggs, gingers, garlic and water etc

* DCs will organize distribution of vegetable etc through mobile vans

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The mad rush of people to purchase vegetables in markets across Assam amidst the nationwide lockdown to prevent spreading coronavirus on Friday forced the State Government to review its earlier order and issued a fresh one.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said the people could buy vegetables in markets during the lockdown so that the people did not face any inconvenience and scarcity of essential items. Accordingly, the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration distributed vegetables through mobile vans at seven designated places in the city. Many regular markets had started selling vegetables in different places in the city since early Friday morning. The development, however, resulted in mad rush of people to markets breaking all rules of the lockdown. In many markets the people forgot the one meter distance rule and seen making a chockablock. “Even though the Chief Minister ordered reopening of the vegetable markets for convenience of the people, a section of people completely misunderstood the former’s message and thus seen crowding the places. As soon as such mess was witnessed the CM asked the Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna to review the earlier order,” a source in Assam Government said.

The Chief Secretary on Friday evening issued a slew of directives. As per directive all markets will remain closed until further order except grocery and pharmacy.

Grocery shops will also provide vegetables, fruits, eggs, gingers, garlic and water etc. Deputy Commissioners will organize distribution of vegetable etc., through mobile vans in all areas in alternate days.

All meat, fish shops will remain closed till March 31. It will be reviewed on April 1, 2020.

Deputy Commissioners will fix appropriate time of opening of grocery shops as per local convenience.

Citizens are directed to follow the advisories for social distances circulated earlier. Violation of the same will attract penal provisions under section 188 Indian Penal Code.

Contact numbers of State Control Room, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (in case of any kind of emergency): 1070, 1079, 94010-44617 and 0361-2237219

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