CAA to nab errant traders during festive season

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

[email protected]
 

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will nab errant traders trying to exploit consumers during the festive season, said Chairman, CAA, Rumy Marzook.

He said raid squads will be deployed in all districts to check whether traders display price tags and conform to the maximum retail price imposed on essential items under the program.

“The number of complaints regarding non display of price tags and the varying price levels for essential food items has increased.

The CAA has launched an online service to nab shop owners who do not adhere to the regulations”, Marzook said.

Random checks will be carried out in selected areas such as Colombo, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Wattala and Moratuwa where commercial activities are high during the Christmas season.

Marzook said the CAA will take stern action against traders who violate consumer welfare regulations by imposing fines ranging from Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 10,000 on a trader and Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 100,000 on a company.

Dhal, sugar, rice, gram, dried fish and flour are categorised as essential items by the CAA. A maximum retail price has been fixed on rice and chicken.

The maximum retail price of a kilogram of Samba is Rs. 75, Nadu Rs. 65 and a kilo of chicken is Rs. 320.

All LPG sales outlets should have weighing scales for customers to check the weight.

The CAA has called upon consumers to inform them if weighing scales have not been installed in the outlets.

Marzook said the CAA collected Rs. 15 million in fines in 2,900 raids carried out this year.

One-third of the fines will be deposited in the CAA Fund and the rest will be used for activities in the provinces.

The CAA has a list of importers of food items and legal action will be taken against those selling food products containing melamine above the permitted level.

The permissible level of melamine in a product is 1ppn.