Retailers make a killing

Even as the spirit of Chennai came to the fore once again on December 12 and December 13, much as it did during the deluge of December last, residents caught in an emergency had a tough time. R Murali, a railway employee of Nanganallur, said, “There was no supply of milk at all in our area. I managed to get a half litre pack of Aavin milk for Rs 42. It was around 5.50 am on Tuesday and that was the last packet.” 

Vaidyanathan, a private firm employee of Adambakkam, said that he found one shop having water cans after trying in over 15 places. “What was shocking was the price of Rs 150 demanded by the seller.” 

Some locals in the suburbs said that initially shopkeepers were selling water cans for Rs 50 and as the demand surged, the price gradually rose to Rs 150. “Candles that used to be sold at Rs 5 or Rs 10, were pushed between Rs 25 and Rs 40,” lamented Selvam, a civil contractor.

While some shopkeepers sold essential items to known people on credit, many opted to make hay while the cyclone raged. 

N Krishnan, a senior citizen in Kottur had fixed an appointment with a leading eye specialist after much difficulty, he decided to keep the 11 am appointment, confident of getting back home by 12 noon. “The autorickshaw driver charged me Rs 200 for a distance of 2 km. The specialist charged Rs 500,” he said.

Residents also felt that Chief Minister O Panneerselvam should have issued a circular, advising shopkeepers and trade association bodies to desist from unfair trade practices, said S Narayanan, a resident of Mylapore.