Panic rush at Gujarat shops after salt shortage rumours

As the run on banks following demonetisation receded, people in large numbers thronged grocery shops across Ahmedabad city and the state on the second day on Saturday to buy salt in the wake of widespread rumours about its possible severe shortage.

People could be seen jostling outside grocery shops in Shahpur, Vadaj, Jamalpur, Kalupur, Amraiwadi and many other parts of Ahmedabad to buy salt.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Civil Supplies Minister Jayesh Radadiya and Chief Secretary J.N. Singh appealed to the people over the last two days not to be carried away by the rumours.

"It is a completely fabricated rumour. There is no shortage of salt in Gujarat. We produce salt for entire India and there cannot be any shortage in the state. I appeal to the people not to believe any such rumours and they will continue to get salt," said Rupani.

However, the rumours continued and in some areas salt was being sold at a premium. In some areas in eastern Ahmedabad, it was being sold at Rs 100 a kg though the going rate was Rs 17 for a one kg bag.

Congress legislator Gyasuddin Shaikh was trying to convince people in his constituency not to go for panic buying. "A rumour is going around that Gujarat has run out of salt stock and the prices could rise. People are in panic because of this. I am trying my best to convince them this is not the case," he said.

Radadiya appealed to people not to believe rumours. "We have enough stock of salt as well as sugar," he said.

--IANS

desai/vd/bg