Officials to intensify raids to check malpractices by outlets

900 cases registered for various offences including excess rates at rythu bazaars, shops

Officials of the Legal Metrology Department putting a caution notice at the head office in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

Officials of the Legal Metrology Department will conduct surprise checks on malls, rythu bazaars, milk parlours, shops and other establishments to prevent hoarding of essential goods and selling them at excess prices.

With the Centre extending the lockdown till May 3, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Controller of Legal Metrology M. Kanta Rao held a meeting with the Deputy Controller, Assistant Controller and inspectors on Tuesday and reviewed the situation in the State.

Mr. Kanta Rao directed the officers to conduct more raids to check malpractices. Holidays and leaves for all the staff in the department were cancelled, he said.

900 cases

“Special teams conducted more than 18,500 inspections on medical shops, petrol pumps, kirana shops and super bazars across the State and booked 900 cases for various violations,” said the IG.

“We booked 368 cases for selling rice, pulses and other essential goods at excess rates in super bazars and kirana shops. More than 60 cases have been registered for similar offences in rythu bazaars, 118 cases on milk parlours and 21 cases on medical shops,” he told

The Hindu .

Caution to traders

A vigil is being maintained to prevent black marketing and illegal storage of oil, pulses, rice, onions and other goods. The legal metrology officials were also conducting joint raids with Joint Collectors’ teams and Vigilance and Enforcement officials.

“Traders are requested to display price lists in front of shops, sell goods as per MRP, provide information on availability of goods and not resort to illegal storage. Public can complain to legal metrology officials by calling toll-free No. 1800-425-4202,” said Mr. Kanta Rao.