August 26: District Administration Office, Saptari has issued a prohibitory order to control the spread of coronavirus. However, this prohibitory order has become an opportunity for some traders to cheat the customers and make fast money from them. Customers complain that the traders are selling grocery items at double price.

The traders are charging high price to the customers saying that the goods have not been imported as per the demand. Goods like lentil, rice, cooking oil, spices, sugar and biscuits are sold at high price openly. Ramesh Kumar Yadav of Bishnupur rural municipality – 1, says that they are obliged to buy goods at high price as only limited shops are open.

Stating that they are forced to buy essential items in high price, he says, “The daily essential items are openly being sold at high price in the markets of Rajbiraj. Despite this, the local government and administration have not shown any interest to curb this malpractice.”

Mayadevi Shah also shares a similar experience. She says that the shopkeepers arbitrarily charge high prices from customers under the pretext of lockdown.

 “Teams of police and army come in Rajbiraj every now and then,” she says, “There is a rush to buy goods. Chaos is seen in the market when the police and army teams arrive. So, even though the goods are expensive, we are obliged to buy them.”

Nagmani Shah of Nagmani grocery store says that the supply of goods in the market is not so easy like before due to the lockdown and as the wholesale price has increased, they have to sell the products in a bit higher price. He admits that the price of oil, sugar, pulses and other goods has slightly increased than the previous month.

Shankar Dar, president of Saptari Chamber of Commerce and Industry, claims that there is no shortage of goods in the market. He informed that the monitoring work has been started after they received the information that the goods are being sold at high price.

"Unnecessary rumors have been spread that goods have been sold at higher prices," he said, adding, “If any shopkeeper is charging high price, let us know immediately. We will take action instantly.”