Rs 6.57 lakh Collected as fine

[Perfection]

Legal Metrology : Rs 6.57 lakh Collected as fine

Alappuzha Legal Metrology Flying Squad had conducted 1198 inspections, 94 cases were booked and collected a fine of Rs 6,57,500. The Office collected a revenue of Rs 17,89,870 during the year 2011 - 12.

Surprise checks were conducted to detect short delivery in Petrol pumps, Bar hotels, wholesale depots, ration shops etc., cases were registered and defaulters were fined.

Packages were checked for the compliance of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, cases of excess charging, less in Net content, smudging of the price label etc. booked. Manufacturing/packing/Importing of packages without having registration with Legal Metrology is punishable with a fine of Rs 25,000.

Supermarkets, Jewellers, textile shops, bakeries, Fruit – vegetable – fish - meat shops, street vendors were inspected and cases booked for the use of unverified / non standard weighing/measuring instruments and for non production of certificate. Four cases were registered for sale of weighing/measuring instruments without Dealer licence.

Cases were booked for use of banned non-standard units – inch, feet, cent, sovereign etc. – through media in advertisements and collected Rs 1.15 lakh as fine.

In a consumer State like Kerala, everyone is once a while a consumer. When purchasing goods or availing services on payment, there is a possibility for the consumer being cheated through excess charging, less in Net content etc.

The Department had conducted awareness classes on Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and related rules for consumers and traders in various places of the District.

The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 ensures the consumer rights on packaged goods – right to know about the product, right to be heard etc., while the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 protects the consumer from cheating and provides compensation.

Inspections were lead by Assistant Controller J.C. Jeeson and Inspector Yujin Pasil K.V. The Public can register complaints about fraud in measures over phone - Alappuzha office Ph : 0477 2234647 (Cherthala : 0478 2818741, Kuttanadu 0477 270 3474, Karthikapally 0479 241 8031, Mavelikara 0479 230 9568, Chengannur 0479 245 7270).

[Perfection]