News
CAA raids outlets selling rice above gazetted price
As certain samba rice varieties are hard to come by in the market, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has intensified raids on wholesale and retail shops to crack down on hoarding and take legal action against traders creating an artificial scarcity.
A CAA spokesman said the move follows complaints that several retail shops were selling rice above the maximum retail price. Keeri Samba and Supiri, or Premium Keeri Samba, are not available at most supermarkets, though they are surreptitiously sold by retail traders at prices higher than the maximum retail price.
He said they found out that rice was being sold at prices at least ten rupees higher than the maximum retail price. According to a Gazette notification, the maximum retail price for Samba rice is Rs. 230 per kg; for Nadu rice, it is Rs. 210; and for Keeri Samba, it is Rs. 260.
CAA investigations have revealed that certain wholesalers would sell Keeri Samba rice to retailers at Rs. 259 per kg but would require the retailers to deposit an additional Rs. 40 per kg into their bank accounts. The retailers sell the rice by adding a profit margin to customers, he explained.
Most retail sellers would keep the rice inside and sell it to customers only surreptitiously.
The CAA official said those who are found to be selling above the MRP shall be liable to fines ranging from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 5 million.
Market research indicates that there is no scarcity of rice, the CAA spokesperson said.
With its current measures, the CAA is aiming to ensure that consumers are able to buy rice at a fair price and to prevent sellers from hoarding and selling rice at prices higher than the maximum retail prices.
The Consumer Affairs Authority urges the public to inform it of any trader who sells rice above the gazette price. The CAA hotline is 1977.
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