No shortage of salt: Government quells rumours

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: Amid rumours of a salt shortage in different parts of Uttar Pradesh and the NCR region, the union government on Friday clarified that there is no such shortage. "There is no shortage of salt. State governments have all powers to ensure its availability at reasonable price," an official spokesperson said. The clarification came after rumours were rife that the price of salt has gone up to Rs 400 per kg in Uttar Pradesh and up to Rs 250 per kg in the National Capital Region. This led to a panic like situation in Noida, Laxmi Nagar, Chandni Chowk and some other places. Tension prevailed in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar area as residents hurled stones at police buses amid rumours of shortage of salt and hike in prices of the essential commodities. As the rumour spread, scores of people stepped out on the Kalindi Kunj-Jamia Nagar road and vandalised buses, a senior police officer said. They also threw stones at the police buses which were rushed to the spot to control the situation. Four policemen have been reportedly injured in the incident, he said. While police were trying to calm things down, a rumour spread that a trader was shot at during a fight due to the shortage of salt, he said. Police placated the residents and brought the situation under control. Additional force from a neighbouring police stations was also called in, he said. A large number of police personnel are deployed in the area in view of the incident. Rumours of no salt stocks in Uttar Pradesh led to panic buying in many parts of the state late on Friday. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav rubbished the rumors saying "there is no shortage of salt in the state". Lucknow Senior Superintendent of Police Manjil Saini trashed reports on paucity of salt and dubbed it as "mischief" by some rumourmongers. While it was yet to be determined how the rumour started, people flocked to grocery shops and retail outlets in large numbers to buy salt in large quantities. As the panic spread, several quintals of salt vanished from shop shelves. In some areas salt was said to be selling, if available, anywhere between Rs 100-Rs 200 per kg. Meanwhile, police was directed to increase patrolling as the rumour could result in a law and order situation, an official said. Lucknow Inspector General of Police A. Satish Ganesh asked all SSPs in the zone to start special patrolling in busy thoroughfares and markets to prevent untoward incidents. A special team has been put on the trail of a message that went viral within minutes of appearing on social media sites, triggering panic.