With complaints pouring in that helmets were sold at exorbitant prices at many shops, officials of the Labour Department conducted raids and seized 25 helmets sold at higher price and also sold by tampering the MRP display.
As per the Madras High Court’s order and State Government’s notification, wearing helmet was made mandatory for two-wheeler riders and pillion riders from July 1.
Shops selling helmets and roadside shops continued to do brisk business for the past one week.
However, in view of huge demand for the headgear, many shops sold the helmets at higher price and also tampered with the MRP display.
A helmet, which the MRP was Rs. 450, was sold for Rs. 900 while helmets that cost between Rs. 700 to Rs. 900 were sold for more than Rs. 1,800.
In the absence of a monitoring mechanism, fleecing of customers continued at many shops as they were forced to purchase at higher price.
Based on directions from P. Amudha, Commissioner of Labour, Chennai, a team led by L. Thirunandan, Inspector of Labour, comprising Deputy Inspectors, Assistant Inspectors, and Standing Inspectors inspected 30 shops in New Bus Stand area on Friday.
MRP display
Eight shops were found to be tampering with the MRP display and helmets were sold at exorbitant price.
The teams seized 25 helmets. Also, officials inspected various shops in Attur, Mettur, Omalur and other areas in the district.
The Labour Officer on Wednesday received about 200 calls from the public complaining of shops selling helmets at higher price. The officials also raided those shops. In case of any complaint, the public can inform the officer at 94453-98749.
