The tripling of maximum fines for violations of price control measures was announced by Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, sending a message of respect for the law and avoiding unfair practices. Speaking to Mega, Mr Theodorikakos said he had asked the Competition Commission to give priority to controls on multinationals and the extent to which they set the prices of their most expensive products in our country.
The triptych for price reduction
Theodorikakos referred to the three-pronged price reduction, which the government follows:
First, in informing the consuming public. The informed consumer is very powerful, he noticed and focused on the e-katanalotis platform where citizens can see prices and compare them on more than 3000 products in all supermarkets. We must strengthen the consumer consciousness of all of us, noted the Minister of Development.
The second point concerns the State, controls to ensure compliance with the measures, with emphasis on the fact that supermarkets cannot sell at a profit higher than they had on 31 December 2021 and the prohibition of offering products that have been overpriced. “Today the maximum fine has increased from 2 million euros to 6 million euros. “No one should think that they can break the law,” Mr Theodorikakos stressed. He also spoke about strengthening controls by adding new executives to DIMEA and the general reorganisation of the control mechanism, both at central level and in the regions.
The triptych is completed with the cooperation of all, the State, citizens, consumer organizations, independent authorities, with healthy entrepreneurship, he added. “With the cycle of contacts with market players that began with the assumption of their functions almost complete, there was moderate optimism that supermarket companies will respond positively. “I believe that this summer food inflation will slow down substantially,” he noted.
“Justice is not done by law and by article”
He made it clear, however, that accuracy is not addressed by law and article. The market is not regulated by buttons, he said characteristically.
Referring to the government’s policy as a whole, Theodorikakos highlighted that “we supported families and businesses with 50 billion euros for the pandemic, unemployment decreased, hundreds of thousands of new jobs were created, the minimum wage increased three times and that the country is steadily progressing at a growth rate of more than 2%. Our objective is for the average salary to be 1500 euros at the end of the four years”, he highlighted.
“The Ministry of Development contributes to a new productive model for the country, it implements policies to increase the disposable income of families, it is not the ministry of precision, it is a huge mission related to the future of the country and our children and we will do everything “the best.” as much as we can to support the average Greek family,” he concluded.