KUWAIT, Feb 9 (Kuwait Times): The government plans to monitor the market in order to prevent vendors and cooperative societies from exploiting the Amiri grant accorded to citizens, Mohammad Al-Afasi Minister of Social Affairs and Labor announced yesterday. After holding a meeting with Hussein Al-Duwaihees, Chairman of the Union of Cooperative Societies and members of the Prices Unification Committee, Al-Afasi issued a warning against those who failed to cooperate with Prices Unification Committee. They will face penalties that
could even result in their businesses being shut down.

He lauded the pioneering role played by cooperative societies in the Kuwaiti market, and urged them to fight avaricious merchants who exploit the grant and raise prices. The committee members will visit markets and cooperative societies to compile reports.

Suspected vendors and cooperative societies will be black list and a report about will be referred to the Ministry, reported KUNA. Al-Afasi also urged citizens and expatriates to report any price disparities. These measures are being taken to safeguard people against vendors' illegal practices, he added.

At a time when all subsidized food stores have been experiencing a remarkable rush, with people queuing up for six hours, Abdul Aziz Al-Khaldi Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for Control Affairs told Al-Watan. All citizens will receive their share of free food supplies during any day of the month, "The supplies are abundant and available," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Subaih Kuwait Municipality Director said that 70 percent of the recently filed citations on spoiled food has been referred to the Public Prosecution office. He added that the penalties have been raised from KD 1,000 to KD 10,000. The jail term has been increased from five year to 10 years, in addition to revoking merchants' licenses.