As attacks by Pakistan escalate, India retaliates. India reportedly thwarts fresh Pakistan bid to strike military sites in Jammu and Pathankot. Several such attempts have been foiled by Indian air defense. Tension soars between the two countries amid fears of a wider conflict. Goa may not be directly impacted by the ongoing stand-off between India and Pakistan. But the ripple-effect of the ongoing conflict may be felt in the state in the days to come. This could be in the form of rising prices of essential commodities and food items.
Several unscrupulous traders could engage in hoarding in order to increase the price of essential commodities, vegetables, fruits, etc. These traders could be falsely spreading the news that essential commodities are not arriving in the State. Citizens could also engage in panic buying and stocking of food items in order to beat the possible price rise. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid panic buying amid false rumors of shortage of essential goods following Operation Sindoor. He assured that India has ample food reserves and fully operational supply chains. We in Goa may have not felt the tremors of the war thus far. Nevertheless the Goa government needs to see to it that there is no shortage of food items in the coming days and act against those traders who engage in hoarding.