LMD cracks down on violations, fines traders Rs 1.5 lakh

Srinagar, Sep 12: The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has intensified its enforcement drive across Jammu and Kashmir, imposing penalties totalling Rs 1.5 lakh on violators of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

In recent actions, the Legal Metrology Unit Samba fined four traders Rs 50,000 for non-compliance with provisions of the Act. The Deputy Controller Enforcement Jammu imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on a manufacturer of packed beverages for failing to provide mandatory declarations, while the Kupwara unit of the department recovered Rs 50,000 from a company for not disclosing statutory information and failing to register under Rule 27 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011.

The department has cautioned manufacturers, packers and traders to strictly comply with labelling requirements, including Maximum Retail Price (MRP), net quantity and Unit Sale Price (USP). It said violations mislead consumers, constitute unfair trade practices, and will be dealt with firmly under law.

Controller Legal Metrology Jammu and Kashmir, Rajinder Singh Tara, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights. “The department remains resolute in protecting the consumer’s right to be informed and will continue to take stringent enforcement measures against violators,” he said.