During this festive shopping season, it is imperative for consumers to verify their purchase receipts and crosscheck the prices charged, to detect any practices violating their rights.
This appeal was made by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mrs Dorine Chukowry, to Mauritians, following a surprise check effected, on Thursday afternoon, in a supermarket, in Forest Side. She was accompanied by the Head, Consumer Affairs Unit (CAU), Mrs Amita Gunesh, and some 20 officers of the CAU.
In a statement, Minister Chukowry informed that crackdown operations in business premises such as pharmacies, supermarkets and shops, are performed on a daily basis across the island, to safeguard the interests and rights of consumers against unfair and deceptive practices.
Speaking of the surprise check, she deplored the non-display of price labels and the charging of higher prices compared to the affixed ones for certain items. On this score, she called on consumers to be cautious and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to continue undertaking such inspections on trade premises.
On her part, Mrs Gunesh indicated that the number of checks has heightened during this peak shopping season. These inspections by the CAU, she affirmed, make consumers feel protected. She, moreover, pointed out that a number of contraventions have been issued to the supermarket: 29 for non- affixing of prices on displayed products and two for charging higher prices for items.
Dwelling on the sanctions involved for non-conformity to the regulations, Mrs Gunesh stipulated that the offenders are liable for either a fine decided by the court or a fixed penalty.
