CAA nets Rs.41.7m as fines in five months

Irangika RANGE

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had earned Rs 41.7 million as fines following islandwide raids conducted from January 1 to May 29, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said. In all, 15447 business establishments had violated rules and regulations of the ministry.

Most of the errant traders who were nabbed were from the Colombo district. The investigation teams of the CAA conducted 2116 raids in the Colombo district 1,272 raids in the Gampaha district, 1,731 raids and 1,148 raids in the Kandy and Kurunegala districts respectively.

The minister said the Authority received a number of public complaints regarding errant traders.

These traders had fleeced consumers by selling commodities, including rice at a higher price than the maximum stipulated retail price. Selling goods above the maximum stipulated prices, selling expired goods and failing to display prices of goods, non issuance of the guarantees, not displaying prices of items advertised through electronic and print media and hoardings and selling goods under unhygienic conditions were some of the offences.

The minister said consumers should protect their rights and inform the authorities about unfair trade practices.

“The government is doing its best to impose standards and regulations to protect consumers’ rights,” Fernando said. “Raids will be carried out to maintain discipline among traders. We are happy that a disciplined trade culture has been created among traders after this government came power in 2005,” the minister said.

“Traders are willing to follow consumer protection rules and regulations. Displaying price lists of goods at trade stalls has increased, “he said.