Sale of rice: CAA conducts more than 2,500 raids
If traders are selling rice or sugar above maximum retail price, people advised to call hotline 1977
The Consumer Affairs Authority's (CAA) Raids and Special Investigations (RSI) unit has carried out 2,631 raids across the country over the past four months, a CAA official said.
The official said the raids were carried out in regard to the sale of rice.
Moreover, the CAA has stepped up measures to strictly reinforce the maximum retail prices (MRP) for rice, and to ensure sellers do not hoard rice in an effort to create an artificial scarcity.
Among the most recent raids, inspections were carried out in shops in the Mirigama, Pallewela and Veyangoda areas, where cases were filed against four shops and one company on charges of selling keeri samba above the MRP and for refusing to sell stocks, while keeping them hidden.
Those found to be selling above the MRP could be held liable to fines ranging from Rs.100,000 to Rs. five million, the CAA official said, adding that fines for hoarding stocks may be determined by judges at their discretion.
These raids were conducted under the direct supervision of the CAA's RSI unit Director Sanjay Irasinghe, on the advice of CAA Chairman Shantha Niriella.
Mr. Niriella said these raids had been considerably successful.
“We have filed the ongoing cases, and the market is under control,” he said.
Additionally, the CAA issued a gazette on Friday in relation to the MRP of sugar,
because of the recent increase of the tax on imported sugar, as a measure against sellers attempting to sell old stocks at a higher price.
According to the gazette, the MRP for un-packeted white sugar is Rs. 275 for a kilo, and the MRP for packeted white sugar is Rs. 295 for a kilo. The MRP for un-packeted brown sugar is Rs. 330 a kilo, while the MRP for packeted brown sugar is Rs. 350 a kilo.
Currently, 35,700 metric tonnes of sugar were in the market, Mr. Niriella said. The CAA had begun raids on overpriced sugar immediately following the issue of the gazette, he added.
The right to have access to basic and essential goods and services was considered a consumer right according to the CAA.
“If and when we have imposed an MRP on goods and commodities and if sellers are not complying with the regulations issued by the CAA, it is our duty to bring them before the law,” Mr. Niriella said.
He urged people to inform the CAA if any seller or trader was found to sell above the MRP. The CAA hotline number is 1977.