Public Prosecutor's Office investigates abuse in gasoline prices.
The price of gasoline in Maceió has increased for the second time in less than three months. The State Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to determine if there has been any abuse. The Procon/AL (consumer protection agency) has been called upon to assist in analyzing the reports submitted by businesses in the sector.
Alagoas247 - Drivers in Maceió are paying high prices to fill up their vehicles. In the capital, the price of gasoline has increased for the second time in less than three months, reaching more than R$ 3 at most gas stations. Last November, the State Public Prosecutor's Office, through the Consumer Protection Prosecutor's Office, opened a public civil inquiry to investigate alleged abusive practices in the price increase of the product.
The price adjustment at the end of 2012 increased the price of gasoline by R$ 0,12 per liter in some establishments. At the time, the Fuel Stations Union of the State of Alagoas (Sindicombustíveis/AL) justified the increase due to the employee salary adjustment that takes place in November. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Alagoas (MPE/AL) is still investigating the cause of the fuel price increase.
Earlier this year, consumers already felt a new increase in their wallets, averaging R$ 0,10. The president of the union representing the sector, Carlos Henrique Ribeiro Toledo, points out that gas stations received the product at a higher price at the beginning of the year, which is reflected in the increased cost at the pumps. "Gas stations set prices according to their expenses, and on January 2nd, retailers passed on the fuel at a higher price," explains the president.
Public prosecutors Max Martins and Denise Guimarães have contacted the Superintendency for Consumer Protection and Defense (Procon/AL) to assist in analyzing the reports submitted by business owners in the sector. "An expert analysis will provide supplementary and technical information to verify the accuracy of the justified data," said the prosecutor. According to Max Martins, the expert analysis will make it possible to prove whether there was abuse in the increase of gasoline prices. "An accounting analysis will be carried out to analyze all parameters and verify if the price is in accordance with the inputs," he added.
The superintendent of Procon/AL, Rodrigo Cunha, reported that he has already requested the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) to provide specialized professionals to carry out the investigations. "We have officially notified the institution and are awaiting the names of specialists in the area to base the Public Prosecutor's Office inquiry on." According to Rodrigo Cunha, within 15 days, technicians will be analyzing documents and certificates, and conducting expert analyses, inspections, and other investigations to clarify the facts surrounding the increase in fuel prices.
With gazetaweb.com