Panic buying
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 22, 2012 -
There is something profoundly interesting in the appeal of Minister of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Moirangthem Okendro to the people against panic buying of petrol.
Over the years, we have seen how people in Manipur rush to the nearest fuel stations whenever there is an impending bandh or blockade along the National Highways passing through the state.
The same people may be giving scant attention to the empty fuel stations on any other normal day.
But the moment some organizations announce its intention of calling bandh or blockade, fuel stations are crowded with every imaginable vehicle and the vehicle owners even spend the night in long queue in front of every fuel stations waiting for them to open.
This is becoming one defining characteristic of life in Manipur for the last many years.
In the wake of All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union and All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Transporters' Association suspending transportation of fuel from outside in protest against the damages caused to oil tankers by bandh supporters at Senapati recently, we are once again witnessing panic buying of petrol.
It is against this backdrop that the Minister of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has made the people, assuring that there is enough stock of petrol which would last for another 17 days in the state.
Panic buying among the people of Manipur does not confine to petrol alone. It is seen in other commodities as well. Apart from impending bandh or blockade, of which there is no dearth in Manipur, panic buying may results from a number of reasons.
For instance, one may purchase and stock up rice and other eatables in view of possible weather-related scarcity. Of course, panic buying is not a phenomenon seen in Manipur only.
In fact, this type of behavior marked by rapid increase in purchase volume, thus, effecting reduction not only in the supply of goods being demanded but also driving the price up even higher, is a universal phenomenon.
But what stands out Manipur from the rest of the world when it comes to panic buying is the incorrigible habit of the people, who feel 'left out' if a purchase is not made immediately.
An individual or family, who hardly care to buy two kilograms of potatoes or onions at one go, may dare to walk extra miles to get as much kilograms of potatoes and oinions as possible at the faintest threat of imposing bandh and blockade along the National Highways.
Similar is the case with vehicle owners who suddenly feel the urge to fill up the fuel tankers of their cars and jeeps, which may be running low on fuel for the last many days although they have never given any attention to it, thus giving that perfect opportunity to unscrupulous traders and black-marketeers, who are waiting for that golden moment to prey on panicky minds and make hay while the panic reigns.
By the way, even though the Minister has appealed to the public against panic buying of petrol and assured that there is enough petrol in stock, why is that most fuel stations remain shut with 'Petrol Nil' signboards although hectic activities of selling petrol in water bottles go on hindered near every fuel stations?
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