Ministries intensify raids on commercial outlets and hotels during Ramadan

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has detected 19 violations out of 1,400 outlets targeted in raids during the third week of Ramadan.

The campaign is part of Ramadan initiatives under the theme “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “# the_least_we_can _do” targeted garment stores, vegetable and fruit shops, beauty salons, barbers, food warehouses in different part of the country.

The ministry has intensified inspection campaigns ahead of and during Ramadan in a bid to monitor markets, commercial activities, suppliers in order to crack down on violation of the law number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection and price manipulation.

Violations included increasing prices without permission from the competent authority, selling expired products and missing descriptive labels on products in violation of article (6) of law number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.

The law prohibits the sale, display or promotion of fraudulent or corrupt products. A product is considered fraudulent if it is expired or fails to meet standards. The ministry urges all consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has conducted eight inspection drives including 29 hotels located in different areas in the country.

Hotels under four and five stars category are located in areas such as Old Salata, West Bay, Dafna, Najma, Legtaifiya, The Pearl, the Diplomatic District, Ras Abu Aboud, and others.

The first inspection drive began on June 14, included five hotels, and caught violations related to non-compliance with health requirements such as hygiene, storage and lack of maintenance of sanitation.

Some other violations were related to setting up a tent and room without seeking a permit from the Ministry, and having expired food, in addition to violations related to handlers.

The second inspection drive was on June 15 and included four hotels, among them two were caught for violations related to cleaning cooling fans, and maintenance of refrigerators.

Inspectors have also caught some expired cheese in two Hotels in Old Salata, some employees working without health certificates, and the violation was repeated in number of hotels.

Majority of violations in the hotels were related to expired food, hygiene, and the need to separate vegetables and fruit from the area where meat and poultry is stored.

Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com