Dhal not above Rs. 190, chicken Rs. 400 only

• CAA fixes new maximum prices for six essential items
• MRPs for first time on dhal, potatoes, B-onions
• Packeted wheat flour and dried chillies included to the existing list of five
• Keeping a check on seasonal hikes says Rishad

As the year-end festival season draws nearer, the Consumer Affairs Authority has brought in a new set of Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) for six new essential consumer items on 18 November. These new prices are to take effect as early as this Friday, 20 November. 

“The new maximum prices are introduced to safeguard consumers from sudden market hikes, especially in the forthcoming festival season,” stressed Minister of Industry and CommerceRishad Bathiudeen yesterday, confirming the new prices after being briefed by Industry and Commerce Secretary T. M. K. B. Tennakoon who consulted CAA officials functioning under the Ministry.



“Prices of five essential items have not been changed while MRPs have been introduced for six essential items for the first time. Small price increments are introduced to only three other items to prevent massive price hikes by errant traders,” stressed Bathiudeen.

Accordingly, six essential items to which MRPs have been introduced for the first time are Masoordhal (MRP Rs. 190 per kilo), potatoes (MRP Rs. 145 per kilo), big onion (MRP Rs. 155 per kilo), chicken meat (whole chicken –without skin, MRP Rs. 480 per kilo), packeted wheat flour (MRP Rs. 95 per kilo)and dried chillies (MRP Rs. 355 per kilo). 

The five essential items whose prices have not been changed (as previously gazetted) are unpacketed white sugar (gazetted price, still at Rs. 87 per kilo), packeted white sugar (gazetted price still at Rs. 95 per kilo), unpacketed wheat flour (gazetted price, still at Rs. 87 per kilo), canned fish net weight 425g-drainedweight 280g (gazetted price, still at Rs. 140), and canned fish net weight 155g – drainedweight 105g (gazetted price, still at Rs. 70).

Three other items for which small price increments are introduced are chicken meat whole chicken with skin (increased by Rs. 20 from gazetted price of Rs. 380 per kilo to Rs. 400), imported, unpacketed dried sprats (increased by Rs. 25 from gazetted price of Rs. 385 per kilo to Rs. 410), and imported, packeted dried sprats (increased by Rs. 5 from gazetted price of Rs. 425 per kilo to Rs. 430).