Government proposes fines for shipping bills without price breakdown

November 23, BPN. The House of Representatives has passed a bill to introduce fines for shipping bills without a price breakdown.

Failure to break down prices for government-controlled goods in shipping bills or delivery notes would be punishable by a fine for businesses, the lower house’s press office reported.

Alaksandr Łukašenka signed a directive to freeze consumer prices on October 6, in a bid to curb galloping inflation. He demanded that any price increases must be authorized by executive authorities.

On October 19, the government introduced profit margin caps to control prices for 370 items. Some items were removed from the list a week later.

Police have opened dozens of criminal cases over what they see as unfounded price hikes.

Consumer prices in Belarus fell by one percent in October from the previous month’s level, but rose by 13.6 percent since December 2021 and by 15.2 percent year on year, according to the National Statistical Committee (Belstat).