Primary foodstuffs will be on sale at wholesale markets

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 06, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Agriculture Supplies & Service Corporation (Casa) president, Gerardo Liscano says primary foodstuffs will be on sale at wholesale markets.

The products the public can buy are: black beans, lentils, dried peas, maize bread powder, sardines, tuna, pasta, rice and powdered milk.

Liscano has announced that local garrisons will oversee the whole process to avoid lack of supplies and possible loss of material through desabastecimiento. ”We are currently engaged in a deal to import a greater variety of foodstuffs within the next couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, State consumer watchdog committee (Indecu) has been checking 1,000 complaints of speculation.

Liscano sums up saying 238 stores have been penalized but 116 re-opened after it was discovered that they had been misinformed about prices. “The offenders are small stores and supermarket in popular areas."

Indecu president, Samuel Ruh confirms that all the big supermarket changes are adhering to the government’s price listings.

The Production & Trade (MPC) Ministry has granted Indecu 3 billion bolivares to bolster Indecu in the upcoming exchange rate markets ... “Indecu will also be moving its offices to Parque Central.”