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CAA raids during holiday season nab errant traders
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), last week, collected over Rs10 mn in fines from several raids conducted in the two weeks running up to the Christmas and New Year season. Director General, CAA, M S M Fouzer, said that, in raids conducted beginning December 15, 2018, 3,343 traders were charged under consumer laws for selling substandard goods to unsuspecting shoppers.
He said, in most cases, the consumers were misled with high price marking, outdated food items and the sale of electrical goods without a warranty. The CAA stipulates that all electrical items sold carry at least a 6-month warranty. In some instances, labels on garments were changed, misleading customers into believing that they were popular brands. Also, the ubiquitous ‘stock clearance sale’ announced countrywide during the season had tricked consumers into paying more for products. ‘They do not get the price marked on the shelves at the billing counters,’ he said.
He said the raids were made both on complaints received from consumers and on random checks by CAA officials. The CAA has already filed action in courts on 2,000 errant traders under its Act. Preparations are on to file charges against the remaining 1,343 traders in the coming weeks. “Our aim is to protect the customer from being cheated,” Mr Fouzer said.
The raids are ongoing and will be carried out till January 15.