The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Cement firms come under scanner

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Saturday, Apr 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Cement firms come under scanner

Crackdown by officials reveals violation of rules

Weightment of cement per bag is found below the permissible levels
About 5 - 10 per cent of cement is lost due to improper packing, handling

HYDERABAD: The Legal Metrology Department has registered cases on several cement manufacturers and dealers in Hyderabad and elsewhere for a slew of violations in a five-day inspection drive.

The crackdown has brought 16 cement manufacturing companies and 38 cement dealers under scanner. Cases have also been registered, according to a release.

The inspections revealed that several cement companies had violated Packaged Commodities Rules and Standards of Weights and Measures (Enf) Act 1985.

inspections brought to light that weight of cement per bag was below permissible levels, release added.

The inspections also revealed that 5 - 10 per cent of the cement was lost due to improper packing, handling, storage and careless use. Apart from shortages in the weighment per bag, other violations like improper display of prices were also noticed.

Description of contents

Controller of Legal Metrology Tejdeep Kaur Menon asked manufacturers to carry proper description of contents, including the net weight, at the time of sale. “Due to steep increase in the rates of cement, we have decided to take up this special drive so that the consumer is not taken for a ride,” she said.

No means to verify

The Controller also said that the consumer protection fora had complained that buyers had no means to verify the weight of cement bags.

The consumers facing such problems while purchasing cement should make sure to alert the department through the legal metrology consumer helpline: 1860-425-333, she said.

Cases registered

Cases against the following cement manufacturers were registered for various kinds of violations: Andhra Cement (Duncan brand), Rains Cement (Priya brand), India Cements, Kesoram cement (Kesoram brand), K.C.P ( K.C.P. brand), NCL Industries, Madra Cements (Ramco cement brand), My Home Industries (My Home brand), Penna Cement (Penna Suraksha), Panyam Cements (Panyam), Tirmalagiri Pulverisen, Toshali Cements and Orient Cements.

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