Maintaining supply lines

A synoptic review of a national lockdown may signal hardships for any society. Asking more than a billion people to stay indoors is definitely not an easy call. But it becomes imperative when a pandemic threatens the populace. Coronavirus may have forced the executive hand into calling an unprecedented 21-day national lockdown but a precise implementation of the same is a testimony of the country's administrative excellence. With the lockdown comes a humongous responsibility of ensuring a sustainable curfew as people are bound to break restrictions if they are deprived of the basic necessities of life. It invariably means that the supply chain of essential items cannot be disrupted. In an event of likely disruption, the pressure would immediately shift to the households in the neighbourhood and result in chaos. It is for this reason that the administration has repeatedly ensured the population that all essential items will be available. At some places such as Delhi, the provision has been made available around the clock. Given the social distancing mantra preached by authorities and health experts, guidelines have been issued to maintain physical distance while going to purchase essential items in the nearby grocery stores. All in the name of preventing the spread of a novel disease that has wreaked havoc across the globe killing more than 80,000 people. But even if people adhere to the guidelines, wear masks and maintain distance, they still need the essential items that they are risking their health to go out and procure. Non-availability of essential items would create pressure on neighbourhoods, forcing people to travel distances in search of those; effectively flouting lockdown norms. It is, therefore, a matter of administrative commitment to ensure last-mile connectivity of essential items so that none of the neighbourhoods is stressed. Police's role is not just to ensure that people stay indoors but also to ensure that essential items are well supplied. Sadly, there have been instances where since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the nation, instances of hoarding have been reported. Both hoarding and black marketing must be ceased as these are prime concerns to a long curfew in place. And, it invariably becomes the duty of the administration to ensure through police that hoarders and black marketers are arrested, and even incarcerated. An already hard task of a national curfew becomes seemingly impossible unless the disruptive elements are controlled.

Two laws that exist in aiding the police and administration ensure supply lines are the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980. While former can be used to cap prices and check availability of essential items, the latter is useful in casting a punitive net for those hoarding items and selling them at higher prices than what is mandated. An informed citizenry has always been the eyes and ears of the administration and with that responsibility, even the public at large can help prevent middlemen and dishonest traders from accruing undue advantage of the lockdown. From food items and hand sanitisers to masks and medical supplies, the government has made all provision to meet the surging demand with incessant supply. If not for such unholy practices by hoarders, India can very well ensure a sustainable lockdown, and even extend it if required to control the pandemic. Vigilant police machinery has the onus of ensuring that neighbourhoods in districts and sub-districts are well stocked. Perhaps adding a hotline to complain about hoarders would be beneficial in light of this advisory. Black marketing of non-essential items has also been on the rise with cigarettes and alcohol being the two most sought-after items not available under lockdown rules. People have been adventuring out to procure these and hence the administration must direct the police to prevent cross-neighbourhood movement barring exceptional cases. As mentioned earlier, support of the public will be instrumental in nabbing hoarders and securing supply lines of essential items.