42,100 kg rice seized in Pettah

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said yesterday that 42,100 kg of rice hoarded by errant traders were netted in Pettah during the last 48 hours ending February 27.

It also said that it conducted 2,064 raids monthly on errant rice sellers across the country.

“These consignments were stacked in 25 kg bags and hoarded by three different traders in the Pettah market. Eighty seven errant sellers across the country, who violated the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of rice were also netted,” a CAA official said.

“Three shops had 922 sacks with 25 kilograms of rice each and 686 sacks of 42 kilos,” he said.

“The Minister had ordered to seal the rice sacks and to take legal action,” the CAA said.

Rice traders are also required to follow the MRP imposed by CAA as Gazetted by the Minister of Industry and Commerce on February 28.

“I have instructed CAA to immediately seal any rice found to be hoarded. The 42,100 kg rice have now been sealed by CAA,” Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said.

As of February 27 over

Three shops had 922 sacks with 25 kilograms of rice each and 686 sacks of 42 kilos. The Minister had ordered to seal the rice sacks and to take legal action

2,064 successful raids have also conducted by the CAA during the month of February with 1,376 cases being filed.

The Gazette notice on the MRP of rice said:

“By order No. 42 issued on February 17 and Gazetted on February 17 by CAA Chairman under Act No 9 of 2003’s section 20(5), MRPS were introduced for imported and domestically milled and three varieties of rice. Accordingly, MRPS for Nadu, Raw Rice and Samba were set as: Kilo of imported Nadu Rs 72, Locally milled Nadu - Rs 80, Kilo of imported Raw (Kekulu) rice - Rs 70, Locally milled Raw Rs 78, Kilo of imported Samba (excluding Keeri Samba and Suduru Samba) is Rs 80, and Locally milled Samba (excluding Keeri Samba and Suduru Samba) is Rs 90 per kilo”.

The CAA said that 250 officers were now continually monitoring rice sales situation across the country.