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Greater relief for consumers

Price reductions to continue after New Year:

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday allayed fears of consumers who entertained the notion that the present price reduction of essential items would only be confined to the upcoming festive season, with the firm assurance that the relief measure would continue beyond this period.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunewardene requested the public not to be misled by false rumours spread by interested parties and reiterated the Government’s commitment to bring relief to the consumers at all times.

Addressing the media to announce Cabinet decisions, the Minister said: “Certain parties are trying to belittle the Government’s efforts by spreading malicious and false rumours.

Nobody can increase the prices according to their will. For any price increase the traders have to get the consent of the Consumer Protection Authority and anybody defying these rules would be severely dealt with”.

The Minister said the UNP should be pleased with the Government’s efforts to reduce prices at this juncture adding that the present prices were even lower than the prices mentioned in the UNP’s recent election manifesto.

He assured even if there is a fuel price hike, prices of essential goods would not be raised in the near future.

According to the Minister, the Government has streamlined all services in all parts of the country and has imposed rules asking traders to display prices of their goods.

Because of these measures the maximum price of a Kilo of Broiler chicken has gone down from Rs.350 to Rs.260, dried Chilies from Rs.320 to Rs.165 and canned fish (425g) is been sold at Rs.100 at the CWE although the marked price is Rs.125, Gunewardene added.

The Consumer Protection Authority has set up flying squads islandwide to apprehend traders who don’t abide by the laid down rules. In March the Authority apprehended 236 merchants islandwide and imposed fines amounting to Rs.630,000 on offenders.

Special raids are to be conducted during the New Year season, Gunewardene added. The Consumer Protection Authority has also set up a 24 hour hotline to entertain customer complaints 011-232 1696. Immediate action would be taken on such complaints, the Minister said.

The Minister further said that the Government under President Mahinda Rajapaksa was fully aware of the needs of the consumers and would set up a mechanism which would accommodate and address the needs of all parties.

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