Bhubaneswar: Traders are selling essential commodities at exorbitant prices during the Coronavirus lockdown period in Odisha, admitted State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Ranendra Pratap Swain on Monday. Swain said that there are reports of traders charging more for several commodities and we appeal them to refrain from doing so.
“We are not going to compromise on such behaviour and already several cases have been registered in the State. We appeal traders not to charge people more for goods in such crucial times,” said Swain. The Minister further stated that Odisha government has already taken several measures to ensure that PDS ration is distributed to beneficiaries at their doorstep.
“We have issued clear instructions for markets and traders to maintain proper social distancing while dealing with customers,” Swain added.
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It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha government has exempted certain services from the purview of the lockdown including the sale of essential commodities like vegetables, milk and other items in daily markets.
Municipal corporations and district administrations in several parts of the State have taken a number of measures to regulate the timing of the markets with proper enforcement of the COVID19 guidelines and social distancing norms.
Home delivery of goods and essential commodities have already begun in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar so that people do not unnecessarily move out of their homes during the lockdown period and get required items at their doorsteps.
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In another development, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today issued a notification outlining the standard operating procedure (SOP) that needs to be followed by people/ voluntary groups who want to donate food and other items to the poor and the needy.
Earlier, Housing and Urban Development Department had asked senior administrative officials to provide cooked meals, dry and packaged food to the destitute, homeless and beggars. It is pertinent to mention here that a complete lockdown is now in force in the entire country in view of the coronavirus outbreak in the world.