The central zone of the Legal Metrology Department seems to be getting increased support from the public in its crackdown against violators.
“There has been a spurt in the number of customers alerting us on various violations of rules under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011,” said R. Ram Mohan, Deputy Controller of the department’s central zone.
Several alert customers are now calling up the Kochi office of the department. Mr. Ram Mohan said that such a trend was evident during the special Christmas-New Year drive carried out by the central zone from December 20.
“Customers are taking the initiative to alert us about violations of legal metrology rules. For instance, a customer had given us a ring after he spotted a cake that was weighing less than what was mentioned on the package,” he said.
In surprise inspections carried out last week, the department had registered six cases for sale of underweight cakes while one case was taken for sale of an underweight curry powder. Nineteen cases were registered against retailers for using non-verified digital weighing machines.
Mr. Ram Mohan said customers were aware of the amended rules, especially against dual pricing of any packaged commodity.
The central zone of the department, which has jurisdiction over Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Idukki, will continue with its frequent inspections against violators in the New Year. The public could alert the department at 0484-2423180 if they come across such violations.