Selling goods above stipulated price:
200 investigation officers deployed to conduct raids
Two
hundred Investigation Officers have been deployed to raid business
establishments and traders which sell goods above the controlled price.
Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority have been attached to
District Secretariats to cover the entire island. They would raid
business premises as soon as complaints are received about selling goods
above the controlled prices in addition raids will be conducted by the
Head Office of the Consumer Affairs Authority(CAA) too. The CAA has
begun emergency raids to nab grocers and traders who sell essential
foodstuffs with government controlled prices at higher rates, Industrial
and Commercial Affairs Minister Rishard Badiudeen said.
He said his Ministry announced a maximum retail price(MRP) for 16
essential food items and trade stalls and groceries that sell above the
stipulated prices will be raided. In addition legal action against the
offenders will be instituted.
A price control on these essential food items was necessary, because
certain traders resorted to levy the Value Added Tax (VAT) even on items
not included in the VAT tax category. In doing so the Cost of Living
Committee also took into consideration the cost of importing and the
profit made by businessmen. "What has been fixed is a maximum retail
price and it is possible to sell these items at a lower price due to
competition," the Minister said.
Consumer Affairs Director General A.K.D.D.D. Arandara said 200
Investigation Officers have been deployed to raid business
establishments and traders who sell goods above the controlled prices.
Officers of the CAA are attached to District Secretariats to cover
the entire island. Raids will be conducted as soon as complaints are
received about goods being sold above controlled prices. In addition the
Head Office will also conduct raids. The Director General also said
complaints against trade stalls or traders that sell goods above the
controlled price could be made over by dialling 1977.
Since the headquarters of the CAA was equipped with the GPS facility,
vehicular movement of the officers involved in raids will also be
monitored. |