Al Gharbia, September 05: The Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Economy will launch an inspection campaign on markets, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, to prevent violations and indiscriminate hike in the prices consumer items, said an official at the department.
The official, who asked not to be named, warned that a set of penalties ranging from fines to closure and referring to court will be imposed against stores that breach the rules. Punishments will also be imposed against those who deliberately and unjustifiably increase prices.
The move follows complaints from a large number of people regarding the absence of surveillance over prices charged by stores and markets in the region.
“There is absolutely no surveillance on price, which has spurred many trade stores and shops to crazily increase prices during Ramadan, and at rates that were more that 70 per cent in some commodities, particularly vegetables,” said Mohammed Khalfan Al Mansouri, a resident of Al Silaa town.
Salem Huzaim, another resident in the town said the prices in Al Gharbia varied immensely from one shop to another. The price of a 2.75 kg milk can varied from Dh63 to Dh70, a difference of Dh6 on the same can, quality and weight, from grocery to another.
The cost of a tea packet containing 100 bags varied from Dh12.75 to Dh13.95, and the price of 12 packets of cream ranged from Dh16.75 to Dh21.25. The price of a 710 gram bottle of strawberry juice ranged from Dh18.25 to Dh20.95, while the price of four cans of butter, each weighing 170 grams, varied from Dh14.50 to Dh20.
The price of a can of beans ranged from Dh8.80 to Dh11.80, and that of a can of chickpeas varied from Dh 2.25 to Dh 3 per can. The cost of four cans of mushroom also varied from one store to another — Dh17.25 to Dh 19.95. The price of four cans of tuna ranged each from Dh14.85 to Dh17.25.
The price of two cans of mayonnaise (same brand and quality), each weighing 946 grams, varied from Dh12.25 to Dh17.60.
In Madinat Zayed (Zayed City), the price hike was not confined to foodstuff, but affected vegetables and fruits as well. The price difference is clearly noticed from one shop to another.
The price of cucumber has risen from Dh4 per kg before Ramadan to Dh10 per kg now. The price of lettuce has increased from Dh3 to Dh6 per kg. Tomatoes, sold at Dh2.5 per kg before Ramadan, now sells from Dh5 to Dh6 per kilo.
Prices of fruits have also increased. One kg of mandarin rose to Dh10 from Dh6 before Ramadan, while 1 kg of mango costs Dh10, and 1kg grapes and pear varied from Dh12 to Dh15.
–Agencies