As more imported rice began entering the market, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) swiftly re-issued a new Maximum Retail Price (MRP) order on 17 February for three varieties of rice-this time, with the inclusion of locally milled rice clearly spelt.
โThe locally milled rice has not been included in our 8 February MRP order. We have now included local rice as well so that our millers can now get fair price. I also warn errant sellers who violate the MRPsโย said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 17 February.
The order issued today (17 February) and has now been sent to be gazetted, and becomes effective from today 17 February itself. It invalidates the Gazette 2015/24 of 8 February. The order No 42 dated February 17, is issued by CAA Chairman under Consumer Affairs Authority Act No 9 of 2003โs section 20(5).
MRPs of โimportedโ three varieties of rice remains the same as the previous Gazette-the only new MRP addition being the prices of locally milled rice of same three varieties.
According to February 17 order sent to be gazetted, new MRPs for Nadu, Raw Rice and Samba shall be as follows; MRP of a kilo of imported Nadu rice is Rs 72 (unchanged), locally milled Nadu Rs 80, a kilo of imported Raw (Kekulu) rice is Rs 70 (unchanged) locally milled Raw Rs 78, ย and a kilo of imported Samba (excluding Keeri Samba and Suduru Samba) is Rs 80 (unchanged) and locally milled Samba (excluding Keeri Samba and Suduru Samba) is Rs 90 per kilo.
Minister Bathiudeen added: โMore imports are arriving and rice crisis is over. Still, consumers are requested to call our hotline 1977 to complain any errant rice sales anywhere from Sri Lanka. 250 officers of CAA are monitoring the shops across the country.โ
Consumers are invited to alert and complain to CAA about errant traders on hotline 1977 or even CAA direct line 117755481-3.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress