Price stability pact extended

Irangika RANGE

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to extend its price stability agreement which will further stabilise the wholesale prices of 14 essential commodities upto May 31 to afford relief to consumers.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana said this decision was taken by the committee comprising the President, the Prime Minister, Agriculture Minister and Trade Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister appointed on April 20 with the objective of giving concessions for the ordinary people vis-a-vis the cost of living.

“The Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association has already handed over their proposals for the next month and we are engaged in the evaluation process now.”

The Minister said this agreement was implemented successfully granting benefits to consumers islandwide during the festive season and slashing prices of essential commodities in the open market.

He said 14 essential commodities have been gazetted and prices mentioned as a maximum wholesale prices. Thirty four cooperatives have sold essential commodities at the lowest prices during the festive season.

The Beralapanathara Cooperative Association in Matara has recorded a profit of Rs.26 million from transactions during festive season.

“We will award certificates and awards to selected trade centres including cooperatives, private and Government retail stores which have sold essential commodities at lower prices during the festive season.”

The 14 essential commodities include white sugar, dried chilies, big onions, red onions, dhall, sprats, gram, green grams, canned fish, chicken, gas, milk powder, cement and wheat flour. Those who sell these items at higher prises are liable to be prosecuted.

The CAA had received 1,800 complaints where traders had sold goods above the prices stipulated by the Government during the Avurudhu period.

The CAA conducted 427 raids islandwide and took legal action against errant traders who fleeced consumers during the festive season. Eleven court cases have been heard at the Magistrates Court in Gangodawila on April 25 and the fines totalling Rs.910,000 have been imposed on retail traders, companies and Super Markets.

He said that dhall has been excluded from the agreement temporarily due to the price hike in the world market. There is a supply shortage in Australia and Canada due the late harvest and drought.