'Errant traders beware'

Stern action will be taken against traders who fail to pass on the benefits granted to consumers in the interim budget, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said.

He said that he had instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to conduct raids and fine those traders who failed to pass on the benefits provided in the budget."I have received a number of complaints that the price reductions have not yet been passed on to consumers. Errant traders will be penalised", Bathiudeen said.

Commuters said that certain trishaw and school van operators have not passed on the benefit of the fuel price reduction. School van operators are refusing to reduce the fare due to high maintenance cost.The prices of 13 essential items were slashed and tax concessions were provided to develop various sectors. The benefits granted to senior citizens, increasing the budgetary allocation to education and moves to revive the GSP Plus scheme and resume fish exports to Europe were some of the commendable initiatives of the government.

Consumers and commuters could complain on hotline number 1977.