Buy meat and fish only in local shops: Chennai corporation

CHENNAI: The corporation has urged people in the city to desist buying fish and meat from wholesale shops, and instead buy it from local shops in their area to contain overcrowding.
GCC commissioner G Prakash said despite the presence of 15 meat and fish shops in each of the 200 wards of the city, many people still go to wholesale markets or the harbour to buy meat. There are 2800 meat/fish shops in the city, he said.
This was in response to a question raised by journalists on over-crowding in fish markets on weekends.
“Why people rush to these wholesale markets is a big mystery. I urge them to procure meat and fish locally from the shops in their area. We have ensured that supply chains continue uninhibited to the local markets,” Prakash said.
The commissioner said local residents were mistaken that going to wholesale market would help them save money. “Apart from the obvious risks due to overcrowding, people spend on fuel to go to the market to save money. In the end, it will not be cheaper,” he said.
Apart from Covid-19 regulations, people need to bring about a behavioural change in their lives when it comes to flocking to markets to buy fish or meat, he said.
As far as vegetable and grocery shops were concerned, Prakash said that some departmental stores had brought in regulations which were more stringent that what was required.