CID help to catch rice traders

11 February 2011 10:09 am Views - 3722

The Trade Ministry is seeking the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) services to round up traders who are selling rice above the price ceiling, Minister of Internal Trade and Cooperatives Johnston Fernando said.

“We will be assisted by the CID to take legal action against errant traders,” Minister Fernando said. According to him this decision was arrived to help find the traders who are hoarding rice stocks creating an artificial shortage and traders selling at higher prices.

The rice mafia is trying to create a shortage capitalizing on the floods, Minister Fernando said. “We are confidant that last times yield can see us through the disruption of floods,” he added.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) rounded up some rice traders in Pettah for selling rice at prices above the price ceiling price, Minister Fernando said. The CAA will be conducting surprise raids on tip offs and CID’s direction, he said.

“More than 11,000 kilograms of rice were hidden and deemed not for sale. These traders were planning to make higher profits driving up the prices before they sell their stock,” he added. (Sumaiya Rizvi)