<B>Price hikes hit all</B>? Consumers will not get any respite in the coming weeks. With the increase in marine freight since 1st July, the price of everyday commodities is expected to rise. In fact, most imported products - from powdered milk, pulses, spices? to toiletries, cosmetics, shoes and textiles - will suffer from the impact of this rise. Importers are already wondering how they will face this situation, as they will have to ?find more money to import fewer products. Bank fees are still very high and imported products do not work as they used to in the past,? revealed the importer Vijayen Veerapen.

<B>A transport tribunal in the making? </B> ? In view of the time wasted to deal with minor road accidents, the ministry of Public infrastructure is thinking of setting up a transport court by the end of the year. The ministry took this initiative after realising that many car owners are not satisfied with insurance companies. The court will also deal with taxis, vans or contract cars that have not obtained their permit with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The court will be independent and chaired by an experienced lawyer and insurance experts.

<B>No more snacks</B> ? The ministry of Health is becoming more severe in schools. After the ban on the sale of soft drinks in school canteens, it is now tackling snacks and goodies with a low nutritious input. The idea is to put what children are taught in class about a balanced diet into practice outside the classroom. ?Through these measures, we want to introduce the concept of supportive environment,? the head nutritionist, Sashi Joganah, points out. As a result, chewing gum, lollypops as well as chips and fried goodies should disappear on canteen shelves as soon as the government endorses the recommendations of the ministry.