Legal metrology raids on shopping malls

78 cases booked for violation of rules

Vijayawada: Officials of the Legal Metrology department on Monday conducted raids on several shopping malls, automobile shops, hardware shops, bars, liquor shops and registered 78 cases for violation of rules.

Officials under the supervision of assistant controller of Legal Metrology department P S R N Swamy conducted the raids and noticed irregularities being committed by the malls and traders.   

The AD has said that most of the malls are charging customers more than what has been prescribed by the Government on food products. The government had reduced the GST from 28 percent to 18 per cent on many food products but the shopping malls and traders are collecting the old GST, which is against the rules, he added.  

If the MRP of a product was Rs.250 when the GST was 28 percent and the price should be less now after the percentage has been decreased 18. But, it is not happening, he added. Some shops were giving less quantity in the sachets to the customers. The customers are not getting the quantity for the price they were paying.

According to the AD, rice bags in some shopping malls had no labels.  All traders and shopping malls must mention the price, GST, date of manufacturing and date of expiry on the products. 

Raids were conducted on D Mart, Big Bazar, Metro, Reliance, Sports mall at Enikepadu, automobile shops in Beasant road and other parts of the city.  

The assistant director said customers could send complaints on WhatsApp number 7901699788 if they notice the were being charged more or were getting less than what they should.