CAA fines top Rs 47m in seven months

Irangika RANGE

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has earned over Rs. 47 million through fines in islandwide raids conducted from January to July this year.

CAA chairman Rumi Marzook said that CAA investigation officers conducted over 21,000 raids on deceptive and unfair trade practices by errant traders during the period.

A bulk of the fines was imposed on traders for failing to display prices, selling products over the maximum retail price, sale of expired products, hoarding and selling cement under conditions.

Meanwhile, the CAA has conducted 850 special raids from August 1 upto now to nab errant traders selling cement at higher prices and for hoarding stocks.

The Chairman revealed that legal action will be taken against 910 cement traders found to have committed various offenses following the recent CAA raids. Some of the offences included selling cement at a price higher than the stipulated maximum retail price and hoarding giving various excuses. He said that the maximum retail price for a 50kg bag of cement is currently Rs.750 while further raids will be conducted to apprehend traders who sell cement above the stipulated prices.