Along with June 29 price slash of 12.5 Kg cylinder, prices of 5 Kg and 2.3 Kg LPG gas cylinders too have been reduced accordingly.
Therefore price of a 5 Kg LPG domestic gas cylinder has been reduced by Rs 55 and price of a 2.3 Kg cylinder has been reduced by Rs 25, effective June 29.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen has instructed his Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on July 2 to raid errant retailers who violate the new price structure. The CAA commenced monitoring the retailor for violations from June 30. “The government is working to lower the cost of living. We warn all retailers to pass these LPG gas savings to consumers immediately. CAA will not spare any violators. Consumers can contact CAA hotlines to inform about violations” said Minister Bathiudeen during a meeting with his officials.
Any guilty violators can be fined or imprisoned under Section 60 of Act No 9 of 2003. If the violator is not a company/firm but a person then the fine is between 5000 -50000 or one year imprisonment in the first offence, and any subsequent offence (by the person) Rs 10000-100,000 fine or a maximum of two year imprisonment or both punishments.
If the violator is a company/firm and NOT a person then in the first instance of violation/offence, a fine of Rs 50,000-1000,000 or a maximum of two year imprisonment, and any subsequent offence a fine of Rs 100,000-2,000,000.
Consumer complaint hotlines of CAA are 0117755481-3 and 1977.
On the afternoon of June 29, the Consumer Affairs Authority sent two Determination Letters to the LPG cooking gas Companies concerned. This Determination follows the order to this effect made by the Cost of Living Committee on 26 June 2018.