Queues formed in front of two of the 10-odd major salt merchants in the Chokhandi and Panigate areas even as wholesellers professed to be more than happy with the trend, especially as there was no shortage of the commodity. Merchant and salt-miller Dinesh Patel described the rush as ``simply unreasonable''. He added, however, ``The price of locally produced salt has not gone up from Rs 2 despite the panic-buying. Nor is there a shortfall in supply''.

Owner of the Tejal salt mill in Panigate Shantilal Patel told Express Newsline that though he had hired six more employees to handle the sudden rush of customers, he had not hiked the prices as he knew ``the situation is temporary''.

Upset by the rumours of an impending scarcity, however, labourers Ashok Mali and Imtiyaz Vohra, said they would have to stock up by buying five kgs of salt each. I K Mirza, a driver by profession, and Jayesh Shukla, a government servant, bought two kg each to guard against a possible price hike.

Meanwhile, District Collector Anil Mukim and District Supply Officer Ashok Singh said they had begun inspections at the godowns, mills and retail outlets to prevent panic-fuelled purchase in the city. ``Though about 10 tonnes of salt have been sold by the wholesellers in the past two days, Vadodara has about 55 tonnes in stock'', Singh said.

The DSO said he would ensure all the salt retailers and wholesellers displayed price lists and stock quantity from Thursday. ``Armed with the Trade Control Act (1955), the Essential Commodities and Maintenance of Supplies Act (1955) and the Gujarat Essential Articles Dealers (Regulation) Order (1977), we can inspect all the outlets in case a scarcity is reported'', he added.

Singh said he had also listed 728 godowns in the district where onions and potatoes had been stored and which were open to inspection. Both Mukim and Singh waived rumours of a shortage, appealing to the public to be patient.

Though the district supply office workforce has been on an alert since receiving a faxed announcement about the inclusion of salt, onions and potatoes on the essential commodities list last night, traders appeared to be thoroughly confused about their status on Wednesday. No information was available as to whether their prices would be fixed or their sale rationed.

Several traders, including Sukhdev Patel, president of the Sardar Market Traders' Association, criticised the government decision to include onions, potatoes and salt among essential commodities, maintaining the decision would hurt farmers and traders alike.