Govt gets tough with ‘rogue’ traders

Over 9,000 traders nabbed :

Chaminda Perera

The Government yesterday reiterated that it would take every possible effort to prevent consumers from being exploited by traders who are attempting to make a fast buck during the festive season by creating an artificial shortage of essential commodities.

According to Trade, Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives Minister Johnston Fernando, the prices of essential items have seen a remarkable decline during November and December this year as against the corresponding period last year.

The Minister added that the price of a kilo of dhal has declined by Rs 30 during November and December when compared to the period under review last year.

He said prices of several essential commodities such as coconut and B Onion have escalated and hoped that this situation would come down with the import of these goods.

Minister Fernando told the Daily News that stern action will be taken by the Consumer Affairs Authority against traders who sell essential commodities beyond the controlled prices. He sought public assistance to take action against traders who exploit consumers.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has nabbed over 9,000 traders who sold essential consumer items beyond the controlled prices after being alerted by the public, he added.

The Minister added that the first consignment of chicken would reach Colombo harbour today and he anticipated that the prices of chicken will further go down.

The Minister added that the Government imposed a controlled price of Rs 350 per kilo of chicken when it was on the rise.

He said that a kilo of chicken is available at Rs 300 which is much below the controlled price.

Minister Fernando added that the Government is in discussion with Kerala State to import coconuts which are to be sold at Rs 30.

He was of the view that the escalation in prices of vegetables and B onions cannot be prevented due to the adverse weather that prevailed in the country during the past few months.

“My Ministry implemented a novel scheme through which vegetables purchased from farmers would be brought to Economic Centres islandwide. The consumers can buy their vegetable requirement from the Dedicated Economic Centres,” he added. The Minister added that this scheme would be extended to every major town soon.

He said a Kilo of beans which was Rs 120 in the open market is available at Rs 80 at the Dedicated Economic Centres. The “Cabinet granted approval to import five million eggs to arrest the possible increase in egg prices in the local market,” he added.