The Legal Metrology Department Kathua has charged Rs 32000 fine from 24 erring traders during series of market inspections conducted during the current month. The teams of the Department conducted extensive checking in Kathua Basholi, Passi, Kuthlair, Basantpur, Hiranagar, Haripur, Marheen, Chadwal, Dayalachack, Garnari, Pathwal and other adjoining areas. The traders were fined for violations of various provisions of J&K Standard of weights and Measures Enforcement Act 2011(Amended) and packages Commodities rules.Twelve traders were fined for violation of Packages Commodities Rules, 7 for their failure to produce verification certificates at the time of inspection and 4 others were fined for non re-verification of Weighing and Measuring instruments on the due date.
The department also booked a rice mill, cement and mustard oil dealers for violation of Packages Commodities Rules and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on them.In all 17 Challans of the booked traders were compounded and penalty of Rs 32000 was imposed, while notices were issued to the remaining booked traders for further legal proceedings.The department directed all the traders to use only verified Weights and Measures for Business transactions and display MRP, PKD, Net Contents and complete address and Customer care Number on the Commodities to be sold in package Form.The department has also warned the unscrupulous traders to desist from unfair trade practices. It also appealed to the Consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing the Commodities.