Chennai: Many departmental stores in Tamilnadu are wearing a near empty look, indicating that the State is going to witness a shortage of essentials in the days to come.
Shop owners said arrival of stocks has reduced ever since the lockdown was implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “There is very less inflow of goods, while the outflow is huge as people started stocking them in huge quantities fearing the worst,” a shopkeeper said.
Meanwhile, the Tamilnadu government has told the district Collectors to carry out inspections of wholesalers and retailers to check hoarding of essential commodities.
According to a senior official, “The Collectors have been directed periodically to take strict action against the violations as per various sections of the Essential Commodities Act and the Prevention of Black Marketing Act.”