The Legal Metrology Department conducted surprise raids in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Idukki districts on Friday and registered cases against rice millers, distributors and retailers for violation of provisions of the Packaged Commodities Rule, 2011.
R. Rammohan, Deputy Controller, Central Zone of the department, said that 20 cases had been registered for selling rice without mentioning the packaging date and price. Five cases were registered for correcting the price in the old stock of rice packets. The raids were conducted following reports that rice was being sold at higher rates in many places by exploiting the existing shortage.
“For instance, 25 kg of rice which was priced at ₹1,400, was sold by increasing the price to ₹1,600 while 10 kg packets (earlier price ₹450) were sold to customers at ₹680. We also seized rice that was sold without mentioning the price and date of packaging,” he said.
Eight cases were reported from Ernakulam for not mentioning the packaging date and price; seven from Thrissur; Idukki (3); and Palakkad (2).
Three cases were registered in Idukki for changing the original price and printing an increased rate while two such cases were reported from Palakkad.
Mr. Rammohan said that stringent action would be taken against those responsible under the provisions of the Packaged Commodities Rule, 2011.
