Consumers praise price reduction

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Ministry last week announced reduction of prices of ten essential commodity items, in view of the forthcoming festive season. `Sunday Observer' sought the views of the general public on this issue and the benefits derived.

A retired SLCTB, Depot Inspector Bernard Cooray welcomed the price reduction.

"But it is pathetic that these items can be purchased only from Lak Sathosa and the co-operatives,but not from private shops" he said.

Owner of a vegetable stall Rupa Gamage pointed out that there were only few Lak Sathosa and co-operative outlets in the country and appealed to the authorities to set up temporary sales centres at main junctions during the season.

Krishnamurthi Sellaheva of Mutwal thanked the Government for initiating the budget shop system and requests the authorities to put up more budget shops to help people out. A mercantile banker Nishanthi Rodrigo suggested that all private sector traders should display price lists thus preventing them from selling consumer items at unbelievable prices.

"Recently a shop owner sold a kilo of flour to me four rupees higher than the controlled price, but when I queried, I was told that he was sticking to the rule.

A housewife Nalini Gamage from Wellampitiya wonders as to why they cannot do it like the Excise Dept. which is strict on alcohol prices. Likewise, why the Government cannot fix a fixed price for sugar, dhal, and wheat flour", she wondered. A salesman, who works at a fish stall at a budget shop at Rajagiriya, Meril Dabarera said that the budget shop system was ideal to the country. Because of this, other private traders too seemed to have followed the same path by selling fish at affordable prices.

Grocery shop owner Jagath Perera of Rajagiriya welcomed the price reduction on essential commodity items and requested the authorities to keep the main Lak Sathosa outlets open 24 hours of the day at least during the season.

Ranjith Perera of Ratmalana complained that the price reduction was not announced and many are quite unaware of it and the government must make people aware through the electronic and Print media.

A news presenter at a private electronic channel Ranjani Mayadunne said "We appreciate the fine gesture of the government through the Trade Ministry, which had looked into the plight of majority - the low income group. But surprisingly I found some items were not available at many Lak Sathosa outlets.

"Therefore I suggest that the authorities deploy a special flying squad, to check on availability.

An undergraduate of the Ruhuna University, Samanthika Piyathilaka inquired as to why the authorities cannot prevent commodity items such as sugar, dhal and rice from being sold at exorbitant prices.

"If you visit the villages, you can see for yourself, how traders are fleecing the public" "Is this what you call the open economy?" he asked.

A conductor of a private bus Parakum Senadhira wants the price list displayed at a prominent place to prevent them from selling certain items at exorbitant prices.

"Some traders resort to this policy, make hay during the season" he said.

A doctor working at the Government hospital, Avissawella, Dr. Kesara Dissanayake said that people may not enjoy the true benefits from this price reduction now that the Petroleum Corporation have increased the price of a litre of petrol by Rs. 7.

"Although the price of diesel wasn't jacked up the petrol price will indirectly affect the prices of fish, vegetable and essential items in the coming weeks. A banker Sarath Premachandra asked the Government not to persuade the Petroleum Corporation to touch the price of diesel at this juncture. "Otherwise, the prices of other items including fish will go up during the season,".

A nurse attached to a private nursing home, Kumudini Weerawardene of Habarakada, Homagama said "My home is four kilometres away from the main junction and there is no Lak Sathosa or a co-operative shop anywhere in our area.

She suggests the authorities to start a mobile service out of the way areas at least during the weekends, so that people can purchase things at reduced prices.

Price reduction structure to be continued even after festive season- Trade Minister

When contacted by the Sunday Observer in this regard Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Ministry Minister Bandula Gunawardana said price reduction structure will be continued even after the festive season. He listed the consumer items: sugar, dhal, gram, canned fish and sprats which have been retailed now sold at reduced prices at Lak Sathosa outlets, co-operative shops and also through budget shops. "However, private traders especially super markets are expected to fall in line. Otherwise, customers may tend to avoid them," he said.

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