Sudden Raids by CAA to Nab black Marketeers

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen  said, that price control on 16 essential food items became necessary because certain traders resorted to levy the Value Added Tax (VAT) even on items that were not included in the VAT tax category. In doing so the Cost of Living Committee also took into consideration the cost of importing and the profit margin of businessmen. What has been fixed is a maximum retail price and it is possible to sell the items at a lower price due to competition. legal actions would be taken against the offenders.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has begun emergency raids to nab the traders and groceries, selling essential foodstuffs at higher rates.

According to the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen legal actions would be taken against the traders, who violates Government regulation on price control.

According to the Director General of the CAA A.K.D.D.D. Arandara, about 200 investigation officers have been deployed to carry out the raids island-wide. These officers have been attached to the district secretariats. In addition, the CAA head office will also conduct raids.