Rice traders nabbed for overpricing

Chaminda Perera

COLOMBO: The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials during a raid last week nabbed two traders in Ja-ela who sold rice beyond stipulated price.

These traders were selling a kilo of Samba rice at Rs. 75 whereas the stipulated price is Rs. 70 and action is being taken to deal them under the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act, CAA Chairman Rumy Marzook said.

He said the authority could take legal action against the traders selling a commodity beyond the stipulated price when such an item is declared essential and for which a stipulated price is fixed.

Marzook said traders can also be dealt with for creating an artificial shortage and selling essential food items without displaying a price mark under the CAA Act.

“We received a number of complaints that traders in Ja-ela are selling rice beyond the Government’s fixed price and special team has been deployed to carry out raids” Marzook said. This type of raids are being carried out islandwide and stern action will be taken against the errant traders, the chairman said.

The maximum retail price for a Kilo of Samba is Rs. 70 while a Kilo of Rathu nadu or Sudu Kekulu is Rs. 65. The authority has learnt that some traders are engaged in selling rice below the stipulated price but it is not an offence under the Act, he said.