No room for opportunists! Ministry of Trade intensifies inspections

Teams affiliated with the Ministry of Trade continue to carry out inspections regarding price tags, exorbitant price increases, and unfair profits in national and local chain markets across 81 provinces. During the inspections, 102 thousand 590 products were examined in a total of 1 thousand 283 markets across 81 provinces, and non-compliance with regulations was detected in 1 thousand 403 of these products. As a result of the identified violations, a total of 2 million 830 thousand 897 liras in administrative fines were imposed. Additionally, proceedings were initiated against 763 companies on suspicion of unfair price increases.

MOST VIOLATIONS RECORDED IN ISTANBUL, ANKARA, AND ELAZIĞ

While the most intensive efforts during the inspections were carried out in the provinces of Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara, 201 markets were inspected in Istanbul, 117 in Antalya, and 57 in Ankara. In this context, 25 thousand 258 products were examined in Antalya, 20 thousand 21 in Istanbul, and 19 thousand 826 in Ankara. The provinces where the most violations were detected during the inspections were Istanbul, Ankara, and Elazığ, while the highest amounts of fines were imposed in Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa. The provinces with the highest number of companies against which proceedings were initiated on suspicion of unfair price increases were Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.

Ankara Acting Provincial Director of Trade Elif Tan, who made statements during the inspections, shared the following information:

“Our inspections regarding unfair price increases and price tags in chain and local markets continue most intensively throughout Ankara. The products we check include basic food items, fruits and vegetables, and other essential goods. When we encounter any non-compliance, we impose administrative sanctions. We apply an administrative fine of 2 thousand 200 liras for each product. This also applies to price tag inspections. In our inspections regarding unfair price increases, we request the 3-month invoices for the product retrospectively. In case of suspicion, we send this to our Ministry of Trade. The fines are issued by the Unfair Price Evaluation Board established within our Ministry.”

News Source: 12punto