KOCHI: The Legal Metrology Department has intensified inspection of premises where food and other items are manufactured or packed.
“The department has been taking along the ‘net content verification unit’ to places where such items are produced or packed, so that irregularities like underweight and improper labelling can be detected even at the originating point. This also prevents retailers from citing the alibi that they are selling packed goods provided by manufacturers or distributors,” said R. Ram Mohan, Deputy Controller, Legal Metrology Department.
In February, the department had imposed a fine of ₹7.50 lakh on IOC since 84 % of the cylinders examined were underweight.
The fine will vary depending on the nature of the rule violation. With the department reaching out to consumers, there has been a spurt in people informing officials of irregularities in packed goods. “Complaints further increase during festival seasons, especially about food and provision items. They even inform of irregularities in the manufacture of decorative items, following which we step up inspections. There have also been complaints about consumer goods and home appliances,” Mr. Mohan said.
Once action is taken against a manufacturer, most distributors and retailers stop taking the product. This further deters rule violators. Even manufacturers and firms engaged in packing outside Kerala will not be let off the hook. For instance, contractors from another State who supplied food and water at the venue of ISL matches were penalised recently.
The department has also made it mandatory for supermarkets and shops that come under the ambit of value-added tax (VAT) to ensure the availability of sealed digital weighing machines. Customers can thus verify free of cost the weight of goods purchased.
Complaints, if any, can be referred to the Kochi office of the department. Call 0484-2428772 or 2423180 or 8281698073 or contact the head office at 0471-2303821. They can also be e-mailed to dcczekm@gmail.com and clmkerala@gmail.com.
