Ministry of Economic Development has imposed special measures to keep the price of certain food items under control amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The economic ministry said measures are being taken to control the prices of some items in light of the current economic situation in the country under Clause 7 of the Consumer Protection Act. In this regard, the ministry announced the price ceiling at which four items of food can be sold in Maldives, starting from April 6.
As such, the maximum price of a kilogram of onion has been set at USD 1.30. The price of a kilogram of potato has also been restricted to USD 1.30, while the price of a kilogram of yellow lentil has been restricted to USD 2.92. Meanwhile, the price of an egg has been restricted to USD 0.12.
The ministry said the prices will be revised on a weekly basis. The ministry also stated any business which is found to have sold the specified food items at a higher price can be fined up to USD 6495. If the offence is repeated, the business can be closed down up to 6 months.