Rumour of salt shortage triggers panic-buying in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Despite repeated clarification from the government, people in large number rushed to grocery shops in several parts of the city to buy salt following a rumour that Gujarat would be facing a severe shortage of salt in coming days.

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

” A rumour is doing rounds that Gujarat has run out of salt stock and there is a possibility of huge rise in the price. As a result, panic-stricken citizens are rushing to shops to buy it. We are trying our best to convince them that it is just a rumour,” said Congress MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh.

Civil supplies minister Jayesh Radadiya appealed to people not to believe rumours. “We have enough stock of salt as well as sugar,” said Radadiya.

Chief Secretary J N Singh also urged people not to believe such rumours. “Gujarat is the largest producer of salt. We want to assure people that there is absolutely no shortage of salt in Gujarat,” said Singh.

PTI