No shortage of rice in local market: Bathiudeen

17 February 2017 05:15 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday said that there was no shortage of rice in the market as imported rice volumes had begun to flow into domestic retail and wholesale channels.

Minister Bathiudeen accompanied by officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on Wednesday (15) made a surprise visit to a privately owned rice warehouse at the Fifth Cross Street in Colombo to see if claims of a rice scarcity were true.

After completing the inspection the minister told the media that imported rice was being distributed and rice shortages are now ending. He therefore assured the public that there was no rice shortage in the country at the moment.

“I visited many shops and rice wholesalers in and around Colombo and they were all selling rice at the stipulated Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs). Certain outlets were even selling rice at below the market prices," he said.

A shop in Colombo 5 was selling Ponni Samba at Rs. 64 a kilo when the MRP for it is Rs. 80. Consumers have been requested to call our hotline 1977 to complain about any instances when rice is sold at prices that are above the MRP,” he said.

“About 250 officers belonging to the CAA were engaged in checking rice prices across the island today. I request the public to stop spreading false rumours about imported rice being sold above the MRP. The rice that I am talking about here is not the domestically milled rice but imported rice on which we reduced the import tax to a mere Rs 5,”he pointed out. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

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Comments - 9

ahmed Friday, 17 February 2017 10:41 AM

but indonesia donated rice to us

J Palitha Friday, 17 February 2017 10:44 AM

Mr. Minister, no shortage of rice in the market, but the prices are very higher than you proposed. Every vendors have their own price lists.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 17 February 2017 10:45 AM

Ok, start making surprise checks with each rice vendors in Pettah first, then you will know the situation. From your A/C room you cannot just bluff.

Kadupol Jothywansa Friday, 17 February 2017 10:47 AM

Don't conn Rishard, you yourself go to the market and check the prices of rice.

German Jacob Friday, 17 February 2017 10:48 AM

You should not lie man. You are a dam liar.

andycap Friday, 17 February 2017 12:34 PM

Maybe the owner of the shop @ Colombo 5 has land in Wilpattu...

Mason Friday, 17 February 2017 12:53 PM

The Minister from his Ivory Tower gazes at his glass globe and says there is no shortage of rice in the market! How many retail shops and supermarkets did he visit to find out, as to where all the various varieties of rice have disappeared

RNA Friday, 17 February 2017 01:33 PM

If we are having to import additional rice or receive donations of rice from other countries (for example Myanmar and Indonesia), that's definitely a shortage of rice in our market.

Silva Friday, 17 February 2017 01:57 PM

Dear minister, could you please reveal the shop name and address in colombo 5, who is selling ponni samba at Rs 64/- per kilo, so that, we can purchase from them, please, please

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No shortage of rice in local market: Bathiudeen

Comments - 9

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