Ramadan prices, pedophile death and government intervention

In an effort to keep food prices down during Ramadan, the State Trading Organsation slashed onion and coconut prices well below market rates. On Saturday, STO began selling onions for MVR 16 (US$ 1) per kilo, nearly half the current market price. Coconuts were made available for MVR 5 whereas the market price ranged between MVR 10 and MVR 25. The state-owned wholesaler assured similar moves after monitoring the prices of other commonly used food items. 

The government will intervene in the market to control prices of pantry essentials during Ramadan, the economic development minister pledged at a forum on Saturday night. A 183-item list of regular cooking ingredients has been compiled, of which 54 items were designated as critical for price controls, he said.  

A 67-year-old man convicted of sexually abusing his two-year-old granddaughter died in the early hours of Friday. Ibrahim Didi – whose chronic medical conditions included high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tremors – passed away while undergoing treatment at the Hulhumalé hospital after collapsing in prison, according to the correctional service.

The Malé City Council partnered with local NGOs and the waste management company for a cleanup of the island’s western waterfront. 

The police towed 235 abandoned vehicles from the streets of Malé. 

Former president Solih called the free first degree scheme launched six years ago one of his “proudest achievements” with 8,500 graduates to date. But credit for the  tuition-free college policy should go to former president Mohamed Nasheed, the Democrats contended, sharing the manifesto announcement in 2018 before Solih became the backup candidate.