No permission to hike wheat flour, market raids and court battle ahead

There is no go-ahead whatsoever given by the Government to increase wheat flour prices in the domestic market, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said on 18 September.

“Some wheat flour suppliers and millers have increased their flour price by Rs 5 per kilo. The Consumer Affairs Authority has not authorised any private or public sector supplier or miller to increase flour prices in this way. These price hikes therefore are arbitrary, unilateral, illegal, and violate the local consumer wellbeing,” stressed Minister Bathiudeen.   On 18 September, Minister Bathiudeen issued strict directions to CAA to take immediate legal measures and proceed with court filings against all flour millers and suppliers who hiked their wheat flour price by Rs 5, as it was without any due authorisations. Minister Bathiudeen has urgently called for a report from CAA on the latest developments on wheat flour, and instructed the officials to clarify if any urgent amendments to the CAA Act is required to proceed. He has called CAA to commence legal action by 20 September latest. The CAA has also been instructed to raid any retail or wholesale seller who violates the pre-determined flour sale price in the domestic market.

The maximum permitted price of a kilo of wheat flour (by CAA) in the market at present is Rs 87.