Recalling the problems, they faced due to the non-availability of stock of Groceries, Cigarettes, Tobaccos, and Liquors when the first phase of lockdown was announced people are trying their best to store whatever possible.
Supermarkets Getting Crowded
Supermarkets in Hyderabad see sales rush due to speculation on lockdown in the city. A significant number of people were also seen at ATMs and Saloons, to avoid the last-minute rush to buy items in case lockdown is imposed.
People reported that they were left with no option but to stand in long queue up at the grocery stores in Hyderabad. At some supermarkets, people struggling to even find parking for their vehicles.
Stocking up Cigarette and Tobacco
People were seen outside wholesale chaliyas (paan stores) to buy tobacco products, cigarettes, paan masala, guthka, and other items used for paan in speculation of July lockdown.
Ignoring social distancing norms to the wind, hundreds of people in different parts of on Tuesday morning rushed to the wholesaler and marketplaces for purchasing all tobacco and other products which men mostly are habituated to chewing. Due to the large number of customers in markets of the old city forcing wholesalers to close shops despite the government extending the night curfew till 9 pm in the night.
These tobacco lovers were purchasing all these tobacco products by paying higher prices to be on the safe side and to keep a stock of one to two months, due to the speculation over lockdown from July 3 in Hyderabad.
Wine Lovers are not taking any Chance
Remembering the difficulties, they faced due to non-availability of liquors when the first phase of lockdown was announced, many liquor lovers this time around are not taking any chance and are buying extra stock from the nearest wine shop
Despite facing financial difficulties due to the month end, many are pooling in money to ensure enough stock so that another lockdown will not leave them with parched throats like last time.
Wine shop owners said the demand for liquor was usual during the last few weeks, but things altered when the news came that the government had been planning another lockdown.
Most customers are buying whiskey brands rather than beer, which is usually the season’s favorite here. Shopkeepers say some were also stocking up on different vodka brands.
Shopkeepers are also getting more stock from the depots of the Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited (TSBCL), which supplies liquor to shops across the State, after placing indents to meet the requirements of the customers.
Telangana Wine Dealers Association President D Venkateswara Rao said there was no panic buying, but many were purchasing additional stock believing that the wine shops could be closed when the lockdown was imposed once again in the city.
Lockdown Speculation
Meanwhile, the Health Minister of Telangana, E. Rajender made it clear that lockdown in Hyderabad will be imposed only after the consultation in the cabinet.
Earlier, the experts recommended that the lockdown of 15 days must be enforced in GHMC limits due to rise a sharp increase in coronavirus cases.