Janarige Bashe Ella! SOCIAL DISTANCING at Central Veg Market is Just the OPPOSITE?

Yestu Helidaru, Janarige Bashe Ella! SOCIAL DISTANCING at Central Veg Market is Just the Opposite?

Mangaluru: Following close on its heels after Mangalorean.com had published the report (Ref: Consumers Storm Central Market Early Morning for BARGAIN PRICES Prior to SHUT DOWN ) on Thursday, 26 March, this morning Team Mangalorean made a visit to Central Veg Market to see as to what was going on- and to our surprise the market was stormed with traders and consumers- and none were following the guidelines of the govt and district administration, and especially SOCIAL DISTANCING was totally abused.

Earlier on 25 March night, DC Sindhu Rupesh had said, ” “Taking into account, a surge in COVID-19 cases in the neighbouring district, it has been decided to suspend retail sales at the Central Market. The public will not be allowed to shop at the Central Market. Proper arrangements have been made for the public to buy from nearby grocery shops from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon. However, strict social distancing has to be ensured by the vendors failing which action will be taken. The public is advised to follow social distancing measures. Stay home to stay safe”.

But looking at the situation at Central Market, it is the same like it used to be few days ago. Not just retailers who had stormed the market to buy and resell the vegetables and fruits, but even other consumers were also seen, who were not suppose to do any shopping at central market- but there was no one to check them nor stop them. Because for the wholesale traders at the market, for them no matter whether you are a retailer/shop owner or a independent consumer, their only greed is to sell their products.

It is learnt that the shops inside the Central Market will stay open from early morning hours until 10 am, where retailers can buy their needed items- but their purchases are not done as per guidelines and warnings given by the govt and other authorities, especially by not maintaining distance between each other while shopping. With the administration trying hard for effectively implementing lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19, the general public seems to be unconcerned about the need for social distancing, which is crucial at this hour, even in Mangaluru. While the market, which have been allowed to do business from early morning hours till 10 am in the day witnessed the negligence of the people of the city in adhering to social distancing norms.

People congregated, parked vehicles and bargained with the veg and fruit vendors just like they used to do earlier standing or sitting very close to other buyers. Such was the crowd near Central Market that the bunch of police personnel stationed there could do nothing-nor they attempted to do something? The only thing police did was prevent vehicles other than goods trucks to enter the central market vicinity, other than that they remained mute. Also hardly any one was seen wearing a face mask, while they were standing close to each other and buying the products. With such kind of ignorance of the people, don’t you think that Coronavirus can spread during the morning hours when the market is open.

As the police personnel kept vigil, just like at any other shopping day, people jostled each other, made purchases and hurriedly left, prior to the 10 am deadline. The Central Market is frequented by both the public as well as retail shopkeepers who purchase commodities in the market at wholesale price and later sell them in their small shops in different parts of the city for a extra margin of profit. The Central Market also supplies commodities to neighbouring districts including Udupi and Kasaragod in Kerala. Even though district minister in charge Kota Srinivas Poojary had allowed the retailers to purchase their commodities between 6 am and 10 am, and later sell them in theirv respective grocery and vegetable shops, provided they compulsory follow social distancing norm, while buying and also while reselling commodities to their customers.

But that was not seen here this morning- the scene at the market was like a jathra (religious fair), with people falling over each other, standing or brushing close against each other. Even though DC Sindhu Rupesh had empowered Tahsildars and assistant Commissioner to file criminal cases against those who violated the norms- but Team Mangalorean didn’t see any of these BIG POST authorities- bet they were still in their respective beds? But the visit by MCC Commissioner Ajith Shanady, Ponnuraj from MCC administration and a senior health inspector urging people to maintain social distancing, but their efforts were all in vain. No one gave a heed to their requests. Like they say in Kannada, “Estu Helidaru Janarige Bashe Ella” ?

So if such kind of situation of peoples’ attitude and ignorance continues tomorrow, the day after and the days to come, what is the solution that DC, Police Commissioner and other district authorities would take in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19. Will our authorities come up with a better plan or arrangements that only could prevent the abuse of Social Distancing, that would be very nice and is also the need of the hour.

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