Skyrocketing prices :

Errant traders to be nabbed

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The festive season would be grim for most consumers who have to tighten their belts due to the soaring cost of living.

Prices of essential consumer items are going through the roof burdening the consumer who is already saddled with the burgeon cost of living. Prices of vegetables, meat, eggs, coconuts, rice, ingredients and dry rations have skyrocketed in an unprecedented manner with no alternative for the low income earner to look forward to.

The price of a coconut is around Rs.55, an egg Rs. 18, rice ranging from Rs. 60 a kilogram onwards, Bombay onions is Rs.180 and chicken Rs.420.

The Ministry of Trade and Commerce has decided to import big onions from Pakistan to address the shortage of onions in the market.

Ministry sources said the price of onions has risen due to the shortage of stock which was damaged by the heavy down pour in recent weeks.

A move to import onions from India had failed due to a ban imposed by the government of India on export of onions which would aggravate the shortage of stock in the country.

The cultivation of onions in India has been badly hit by continuous rain.

The Ministry of Trade has decided to import coconuts from Kerala to fill the shortage of stock and ease the burden of consumers during the festive season.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has imposed a maximum retail price of Rs. 60 on a kilo of Nadu, Rs. 70 on samba and Rs. 350 on a kilo of chicken.

Traders seem to pay no heed to trade regulations as prices of essential commodities are sold at exorbitant rates.Traders take consumers on a good ride during the festive season.

An official of the CAA said an islandwide program has been launched to nab errant traders who fleece on consumers during the festive season.