Fleecing consumers:

CAA pounce on errant traders

Irangika RANGE

The Consumer Affairs Authority's (CAA) investigation officers nabbed 300 errant traders for selling goods over the stipulated controlled price in raids conducted from end last Thursday in Colombo and suburbs. The errant traders were caught for breaching CAA Act No 9 of 2003 laws and regulations and suspects have been produced before Courts.

The CAA had received complaints against traders who were alleged to have been selling essential items above marked prices ahead of the festive season, CAA's Chairman Rumi Marzook told the Daily News.

According to Marzook, selling a kilo of rice more than the stipulated maximum retail price of Rs 70 is common offense reported during the raids. The rest of traders were apprehended for not exhibiting the price list, failure to exhibit SLS mark, deceptive conduct in selling items and selling goods which does not have to manufacturers details in the packing. He further said that special raiding team under the directives of Co-operative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando was set up to nab errant traders who fleece consumers during the festive season.

Meanwhile, the CAA collected Rs. 29 million from January to November by conducting raids in all parts of the country. "We expect nearly Rs 35 million to be collected as fines from errant traders before the end of the year," Marzook stressed.

He said investigating officers were instructed by the Minister to conduct islandwide raids. Such raids will continue in the future as well.