Tough action against errant traders - Minister Fernando

Irangika RANGE

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando instructed Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) chairman Rumi Marzook to take stern action against traders who sell existing stocks of milk powder available in current stores at higher prices. “We will carry out raids from today to nab errant traders who sell the existing milk powder stocks at higher prices”, Minister Fernando told the Daily News. He said though milk powder prices were increased from midnight Friday, the current milk powder stocks available in stores should be sold at the former price until old stocks were depleted.

Although prices have been increased it would take some time for the new prices to come into effect in the market, the minister said.

The old price of a 400g milk powder packet is Rs.264 while a kilo of milk powder packet is Rs.647. The Minister said the law will be strictly imposed from today against errant traders who try to change the prices of existing milk powder stocks and sell them at the new prices.

He said though milk powder importers requested an increase of Rs.170, the CAA did not permit it. The government is committed to protect consumers and will not allow errant traders to exploit consumers at this moment.

“ If any trader tries to earn huge profits by placing unnecessary burdens on consumers, they will be prosecuted, he said.

CAA flying squads nabbed 30 errant traders who concealed LP gas cylinders consequent to the gas price revision, during raids conducted in Colombo, Kandy and Gampaha yesterday, minister Fernando said.