Tough action against errant traders

Irangika Range

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has imposed fines of Rs. 2.4 million on errant traders who engaged in unfair trading breaching the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No 9 of 2003, CAA Chairman Rumi Marzook said.

Addressing a Media -Briefing held at the Information Department recently, he said the CAA has nabbed errant traders during the raids carried out from September 3 to September 26. The major offence is the selling of essential commodities at higher prices, he said.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardhana has advised the CAA to carry out the islandwide raids in a maximum effort aimed at nabbing errant traders who sell essential commodities at a higher rates.

The CAA is committed to take stern action against errant traders who sell rice at higher prices than the state stipulated maximum retail prices. Under this mechanism, the Government has stipulated maximum retail prices for samba, nadu, white kekulu and red kekulu respectively Rs.70, Rs.65, Rs.55 and Rs.65.

A number of consumer complaints on selling rice at a higher prices have been received by the CAA. Therefore it has decided to raid the shops and boutiques and take errant traders before courts.

Selling essential items at higher prices, creating unnecessary shortages by concealing stocks, not displaying price tags, selling items imposing unnecessary conditions and refusing to sell essential items are punishable offences under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No 9 of 2003.