Second Budget Shop opened in Kandy

KANDY: The Second Budget Shop (Laba Badu Kade) was opened at the CWE premises in Kandy on August 19.

The Budget Shop concept was an idea of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to help bring down the Cost of Living. In the process of protecting the consumers the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has a significant role to play. The wholesale traders have proved themselves to be good merchants by helping the first Budget shop project at Rajagiriya, which has turned out to be a tremendous success.

The Budget Shop project was formulated to introduce a ‘Bench mark’ and guidelines to other traders on price control, high standards of goods and proper trade practices. The prices of consumer goods at the Rajagiriya and Kandy Budget Shops are reasonable as the products come from the wholesale merchants.

Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle spoke about the Budget shop concept and educating consumers on the purchasing habit. He also urged the consumers to buy more local produce thereby boosting our local traders.

The Minister said our local rice is very nourishing, cheap and freely available. A kilo of rice is sold for Rs. 21.50 at the Kandy Budget Shop and fresh vegetables are also sold at reasonable prices.

We will monitor the progress of the budget shops. He requested consumers to complain of any irregularities and bad trade practices. This is a pivotal role that the consumers have to play, he said.

The Ministry of Trade has started a programme to start mini Budget shops islandwide called Lak Sathosa. So, it is the duty of the public to work hand in hand in with the CAA and the Consumer Affairs Ministry to bring down the CoL states a Consumer Affairs Authority press release.

Prices of consumer items
at Kandy Budget Shop

Item			Price		Weight
Vegetables
Carrots			Rs. 20.00	500 gm.
Beans			Rs. 22.50	500 gm.
Ladies fingers		Rs. 15.00	500 gm.
Sweet potatoes		Rs. 12.50	500 gm.
Green chillies		Rs. 24.00	500 gm.
Knolkhol		Rs. 10.00	500 gm.
Pumpkin			Rs. 9.00	500 gm.
Cut beet		Rs. 20.00	500 gm.
Potatoes		Rs. 11.00	500 gm.
Brinjals		Rs. 17.50	
Onions (red)		Rs. 55		1 kg.
Potatoes		Rs. 46, 59, 65	1 kg.
Garlic			Rs. 85		1 kg.
Dhal			Rs. 65, 60, 69	1 kg.
Dry fish
Sprats			Rs. 190         1 kg. (No. 1)
Kiri karawala		Rs. 34
Katta			Rs. 300	        1 kg. (No. 2)
Katta			Rs. 550	        1 kg. (No. 1)
Sarupu Kiramin		Rs. 65	        1 kg.
Sprats			Rs. 185	        1 kg. (No. 2)
Maldive fish		Rs. 550	        1 kg.
Rice
Rajamuthu		Rs. 275		10 kg.
Nadu			Rs. 245		10 kg.
Kiri Samba		Rs. 46		1 kg.
Ratu Nadu		Rs. 25		1 kg.
Samba VIP		Rs. 30		1 kg.
Nadu VIP		Rs. 28		1 kg.
Basmati			Rs. 68		1 kg.
Fruits
Bananas			Rs. 30		1 kg.
Pineapple		Rs. 40		1 kg.
Papaya			Rs. 30		1 kg.
Lime			Rs. 60		1 kg.

Broiler chicken		Rs. 190		1 kg.
Drumstick		Rs. 270		1 kg.
Skinless chicken	Rs. 240		1 kg.
Eggs			Rs. 4-4.50

Sugar			Rs. 61	        1 kg. (packet)
Sugar			Rs. 59	        1 kg. (loose)
Flour			Rs. 38		1 kg.
Gram			Rs. 55		1 kg.
Green gram (Aus.)	Rs. 105		1 kg.
Green gram (China)	Rs. 100		1 kg.
Dried chillies		Rs. 118		1 kg.
 Milk powder (Anchor)	Rs. 375		1 kg.
Coconut			Rs. 13		1 nut

How to make a complaint?

Do you have any complaint to make? Well, you may do so. But when you make a complaint, please note to answer the following basic questions, as the answers to those questions would facilitate the process of inquiry.

What? Describe as completely as you can the problem you are having with a product or service you purchased, leased or rented. The description should include enough information for us to understand the situation and why you believe it is a problem. For example, were you told something that was untrue? If so, describe what you were told and why you believe it was untrue. Is something defective? If so, explain what was wrong.

Who? Identify the business you are having problems with by name and current address. Identify also all the individuals with whom you have dealt in your attempt to resolve this problem.

How? Identify the method of approach to or from the business. For example, did you respond to a print ad, or did you receive a telephone solicitation? Did you visit a store or order on the Internet?

Identify the location where the problem occurred and the date (or the first point in time, if it took place over several days, weeks or months). These two pieces of information are crucial in determining whether we have jurisdiction to address the dispute.

What resolution are you seeking? Explain how you believe the dispute should be resolved, such as by issuance of a refund, cancellation of the contract, or repair or the item. Since we mediate many of the complaints we receive, we need to know what resolution you desire.

How can we contact you? It is of vital importance that you give us your mailing address, an e-mail address and a daytime phone number so that we may respond to you.

Substandard baby care products

A company involved in the importation of baby care products had been severely warned by the Consumer Affairs Authority after an investigation and inquiry carried out on a complaint received from a consumer.

The complainant had purchased a very impressive looking wooden cot imported and made available for sale at a boutique famous for baby care products situated along Galle Road.

After three months the cot broke and after a comprehensive investigation and inquiry the Consumer Affairs Authority as per the power vested on the Authority by Act No. 09 of 2003 has issued a letter of warning to the proprietor severely warning him to refrain from selling such substandard articles.

The Authority expresses its concern over the purchases made by parents who simply disregard the safety standards of the products and such products shall be exclusively made for the comfort and convenience of infants and toddlers.

Complaints of consumers and relief granted

COMPLAINT: An advance of Rs. 2000 was paid to a particular Company in respect of materials required for the construction of a well. However, since those materials were not required, the Company was requested to return the advance paid but refused to do so.

RELIEF: A discussion was arranged with both parties concerned. At the end of the discussion, the company agreed to release the advance payment of Rs. 2000

COMPLAINT:A mobil telephone was purchased for Rs. 33,000 with a guarantee period of one year. But, within a month or so, it was found to be defective.

RELIEF: After having a discussion with both concerned parties, the Company accepted the responsibility to issue a new phone with one year guarantee period.

COMPLAINT: It was agreed by a company to provide three phase electricity connection on a land that was sold. But the connection had not been given.

RELIEF: Having brought to the notice of the company, of the complaint, it was conveyed by the Company that, in order to provide the necessary connection, arrangements have been made to make the payment to the CEB.

Three wheel drivers to be monitored

Most services come under the purview of the CAA, as stated in 575 (a) “transportation of goods and passengers”.

We receive complaints about public transport and three-wheelers. Three-wheel drivers demand disproportionately high prices.

Installation of ‘metres’ and introducing a security, protection mechanism is necessary. Steps will be taken by the CAA to monitor and regularise three-wheel and other taxi services.

We need the public views on this issue. Please provide us your suggestions and proposals soon.

CAA

Summary of disputes settled by the authority

COMPLAINT Damage occurred to a bathroom set ordered by the complainant due to its transportation at night.

REDRESSUpon receiving the complaint the Authority got involved in the matter and the complainant was offered a new set of bathroom as the redress.

COMPLAINT Regarding an inferior quality of wood preservatives applied for household equipment

REDRESSThe Authority took initiative to act as a mediator and offered Rs. 10,000 to the complainant to cover his losses.

COMPLAINTSelling non viable vegetable seeds to a farmer

REDRESS At a negotiative discussion conducted by the officers attached to District Secretariat the money paid on the seeds was refunded.

COMPLAINT Non refunding the advance paid for purchasing spare parts of a motor bicycle.

REDRESSAfter Authority’s intervention into the matter, the money paid by the consumer was refunded.

COMPLAINTRequest for a refund of Rs. 12,500 spent on a telephone with a manufacturing defect.

REDRESSThe respondent party has agreed to refund the amount paid on the matter at a negotiative discussion conducted by the Authority.

COMPLAINT The complainant has purchased a HP brand printer from a company and at the time of purchasing he has been advised by the relevant company to fill up the ink necessary for the printer from the company itself when required. Once he wanted to get the service he has been given a substandard cartridge and as a result the printer has gone out of order. Complainant has requested for a new cartridge.

REDRESSThis has been settled by offering him a new cartridge by the company.

COMPLAINT Refusal to exchange a newly purchased shirt, worth Rs. 1,095

REDRESSThe Authority conducted a Negotiative Discussion and as a result, the money paid on the purchase was refunded to the complainant.