Selling goods above stipulated price: 200 investigation officers deployed to conduct raids [July 17 2016]

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.