Action against paddy hoarders

On Aug 30, 2021

The Batticaloa District Consumers Affairs Authority raided warehouses and seized paddy stocks hoarded by traders without releasing them to the market.

The public have complained that traders are hoarding rice, sugar and other essential items during the Quarantine Curfew period. Raids were conducted following a number of complaints over the last four days.

Raids have been conducted on 11 traders in Batticaloa town, Kattankudy, Kaluwanchikudy, Eravur, Oddamavadi and Valaichchenai for hoarding 1,700 metric tons of paddy, said Assistant Director of Batticaloa District Consumers Affairs Authority R. F. Anvar Sathath.

Some traders have voluntarily come forward to sell their paddy to the Government Paddy Marketing Board. Batticaloa Government Agent K. Karunagaran has directed the Consumers’ Affairs Authority to conduct raids against unscrupulous traders who are trying to fleece the people during the Quarantine Curfew period.

“Public complaints against the hoarding of essential items and charging excessive prices have resulted in the Government Agent directing the CAA to take this course of action. Some traders were given stern warnings while legal action has been instituted against others,” Sathath added.

Meanwhile, the Consumers Affairs Authority has confiscated 2.5 million kilos of paddy and sealed 13 paddy mills for hoarding and unscrupulous trading. Similar raids have also been carried out in the Ampara district.