Kolkata: With the increase in fear of novel Coronavirus (nCoV) the demand for the N95 masks and hand sanitizing gel has spiked and a section of manufacturers, stockiest and retailers allegedly have resorted to a practice of black marketing and profiteering.
It has a direct impact on the city's market, leading to a shortage of these essential products in the medicine shops across the city. Though not a single person from Bengal has tested positive for the virus so far, however, panic has been triggered among the people particularly after the number of Coronavirus affected victims went up in the country and two people reportedly died of the disease. A section of people has been using social media as a platform to spread panic. The state government has, however, taken up several steps to stop rumour-mongering.
The demand for N95 masks and sanitizing gel increased manifold in Kolkata over the last couple of days with many people alleging that these are being sold at a much higher rate than the actual cost.
The Centre has already announced that hand sanitizers and masks must be treated as essential commodities till June 30, so that there is no scarcity of such items in the market.
A medicine seller in South Kolkata on condition of anonymity said he got to know of several pharmacies selling masks at a higher rate than the MRP and sought for the state government's interference to regulate the prices of these items.
"We are not keeping the hand sanitizers and the masks in our shop as we have been asked to sell them at a price above the MRP which is grossly unethical. In the current scenario, some people are hoarding these items and thereby causing a black-marketing," said Nand Kishore Sharma, owner of a medicine shop at Belgachia.