Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 31 October 2023
In a bid to ensure a fair and transparent marketplace for consumers, authorities have issued a stern warning to commercial establishments, including jewellers, bakeries, and sweet shops, ahead of the bustling festive season.
Citing the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and its associated regulations, the Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs has reminded businesses that possess weights and measures used in commercial transactions of their legal obligation to have them verified and stamped before usage.
As the festive season nears, there is a customary surge in the purchase of gold jewellery, precious items, sweets, and savouries by consumers in the UT. To ensure the accuracy and fairness of such transactions, all jewellers, bakeries, sweet shops, and other relevant establishments have been strongly advised to undertake the necessary verification and stamping of their weights and measures. This action is carried out by the Legal Metrology Section of the Department.
Moreover, the authorities have reaffirmed that no commercial entity is permitted to engage in unfair trade practices. These practices include selling underweighted commodities, selling packaged items above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), or tampering with MRP labels. Businesses are reminded that they must abstain from such malpractices.
According to the regulations, any person or business issued a Certificate of Verification must prominently display it on the premises where the relevant weights, measures, or weighing/measuring instruments are employed.
The Directorate of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs is actively conducting rigorous enforcement activities to deter unfair trade practices. Commercial establishments that fail to comply with these rules will face appropriate legal actions as outlined in the existing Rules and Regulations framed under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
In an effort to further empower consumers, the authorities have urged residents to report any information about traders involved in illegal trade practices. They can do so in writing or by calling the Toll-Free number 18003453197.