Apart from shortage, customers also complain that shopkeepers also bumping up rates of essential goods. (Photo: Reuters/Representational image)

Grocery store owners in some localities of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh claimed that essential items like flour and cooking oil are out of stock, despite state government’s claim that supply chain is being strengthened across the state.

Sonu Prajapati, who runs a grocery store in Gomti Nagar area, said, "Since the lockdown has been imposed, no supply of grocery items have come to our store."

"The distributors are saying that they do not have vehicle passes and this is why the supply is disrupted. Flour and biscuits are out of stock in my store. There is also a shortage of cooking oil."

Himanshu Verma, a resident of Vipul Khand area said flour and biscuits are not available in the grocery store in his locality.

"Flour and biscuits are not available in grocery stores my locality. The shopkeepers claim that they are not getting the supply. There is nationwide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak but the government should ensure adequate supply of essential items," he said.

Another local resident Rajiv Katiyar said: "I have sufficient essential items at my home but some people are saying that there is a shortage of flour, cooking oil and other items in shops."

Poonam, a grocery store owner in Vishal Khand area also reiterated the problem.

"We are not getting supply from the wholesale market. There is no supply of flour, cooking oil, pulses, rice which are always high on demand. There is no other option but to return the customers," she said.

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Another shopkeeper in the same area, Rajendra Singh, said, "We are getting loose flour from the market. The branded flour supply is not coming to us because the distributors have sent their workers on leave due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But we are selling every item at MRP. There is no overpricing."

However, a woman who came to the market and spoke to India Today TV claimed that essential items are being sold at a higher price by some shopkeepers.

"Most of the shopkeepers do not have flour at their stores. Some have been selling essential commodities at a higher price to us. I bought flour at Rs 40 per kg. Overpricing of essential items in this time of crisis should not be done," said Geeta.

Speaking to India Today, UP cabinet minister Brajesh Pathak said, "The government has already instructed the district administration to ensure that there is no shortage of essential supplies."

"We are also getting reports that there is shortage of essential items in some areas. We have instructed the administration again to streamline the supply of essential items from the wholesale markets."

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