More than 1,770,000 pesos has been collected by the Matanzas Inspection Directorate (DIM) in fines during the first five months of the year from merchants accused of “customer deception.” the provincial newspaper Giron assured this Tuesday that the figure could even be higher due to the “degree of impunity” of sellers who offer products at excessive prices or without complying with sanitary measures.
In the note, the newspaper indicates that 1,310 inspections were carried out from January 1 to June 11, in shops selling industrial and agricultural products, in which 881 fines were imposed. Delegates from the ministries of Health, Labor, Agriculture and Finance, as well as police officers also participated in the inspections.
Moraima Santana Villar, director of Inspection, explained that among the main reasons for sanctions is the sale of products below the established weight or at exorbitant prices. She also found foods that didn’t meet quality standards, but that stores still sold without a rebate.
Santana Villar assured that they will also be “severe” with warehouse managers when they hide the “true” prices of basic necessities, mainly rice, sugar, beans, oil and soaps. The director pointed out that the shops commit a “real robbery” in the sale of a pound of rice because they do not differentiate between varieties, but instead sell all types at the same value, the highest.
The rice shortage caused it to skyrocket up to 200 pesos per pound in the informal market, very close to the values registered for pork. This cereal, basic in the diet of Cubans, increased by 23.1% in price between February and March, due to a deficit in production that was not covered even with donations from Vietnam.
The operations will continue in the agricultural markets, said the official, because they have noticed that some businesses charge “much more than they should”
The head of the DIM explained that a “good part” of the fines was imposed on street vendors for “abuse of prices”, for not completing the established routes and for parking on street corners, where they obstruct the pedestrian crossing and the Vehicular traffic.
Similarly, street vendors without permits were fined. The director said that “they extort high sales”, so the inspectors confiscate the merchandise and offer it “at more affordable prices”.
The operations will continue in the agricultural markets, said the official, because they have noticed that some businesses charge “much more than they should.”
With the escalation of inflation and the discontent of the population, the Government assured that it would increase surveillance in the markets, but the same official press has recognized that many times the merchants change the price on the blackboards when inspections arrive to avoid fines .
The Government has also increased publications on social networks about arrests of people linked to the theft of cattle or merchandise. Facebook profile People’s Forceclose to the ruling party, reports that last Saturday two butchers were surprised in Guantanamo when they were slaughtering a stolen cow from the Sur Isleta neighborhood, in that province.
In Petronila, Sancti Spíritus, two people who were engaged in transferring beef were arrested, while in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, two citizens, known locally as Leopoldito and Jiorgi, were captured. Fat, allegedly dedicated to the theft and illegal slaughter of cattle.
The authorities assured that they found out about this case through a complaint from a farmer and during the inspection 300 pounds of meat were seized. According to the story published by Fuerza del Pueblo, one of the detainees attacked a police officer when he fled, but later turned himself in to a police unit.
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