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Sunday, 11 September 2011

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Cement crisis to end soon

The cement crisis will be solved soon ensuring a quality product at a reasonable price, said Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando at a ceremony to launch a loan scheme for non LP Gas users on Friday.

He said that he will not leave room for substandard products to enter the market and warned those who try to hoodwink consumers will be severely dealt with.

“Some have jacked up prices by hoarding stocks. Those who violate trade regulations will be prosecuted”, the Minister said.

The crisis was triggered off following proliferation of substandard products in the market which eventually reached consumers without standard certification.

The construction industry was adversely hit by the shortage of cement. A bag is being still sold at around Rs. 780 which is above the stipulated price set by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the maximum price for a 50kg bag is Rs. 750.

“The number of raids has been increased to nab those who sell poor quality products.

Around 22,000 raids have been conducted across the country and we hope to conduct around 50.000 raids this year”, Fernando said.

Responding to queries on making the use of plastic crates to transport fruits and vegetables mandatory, the Minister said that farmers and traders will be given time to accustom themselves with the system which will help reduce waste and thereby offer quality products to consumers. The current post harvest loss is around 30-40 percent and according to a survey the use of plastic crates will help reduce the damage.

Consumer Cooperative Societies’ Federation Ltd. (COPFED), Chairman, Palitha Rohana said that the loan scheme will encourage more people to use LP Gas and this will be more healthier.

According to research the burning of firewood in closed environments could lead to asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis and lung diseases. It has been found that only around 25-30 percent of households use LP Gas for cooking purposes.

The loan scheme will enable a recipient to purchase an LP gas cooker with a Litro gas cylinder on low interest rates to be paid in 12 instalments. Loans could be obtained from cooperative banks.

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