Maharashtra has proposed much tougher penalties for cheating customers on weight.
The state government wants stricter action when buyers pay for a kilogram but receive less.
The draft covers packaged goods whose actual contents do not match the quantity printed on the pack.
The maximum penalty for such cases would rise to ₹75,000. Right now, the highest fee for such violations is ₹3,000.
Key points
- The maximum penalty for packaged goods would rise to ₹75,000.
- E-commerce platforms would be covered for the first time.
- Petrol pumps and gas retailers face ₹25,000 for a first offence of tampering.
- Public suggestions are invited for 15 days from the draft notification.
So what changes for shops and businesses?
Under the proposal, the fine for the first offence would be ₹25,000. For the second offence, it would be ₹75,000.
Any further violation would be non-compoundable. This means it cannot be settled by paying a fee.
It could also lead to suspension or cancellation of registration.
Petrol pumps and CNG and LPG retailers found tampering with weighing instruments face the same ₹25,000 and ₹75,000 fines.
Why are online shopping platforms now included?
Till now, e-commerce platforms were outside the scope of these weights and measures rules. The draft changes that.
Manufacturers, packers, marketers and e-commerce platforms using non-standard instruments would first get an improvement notice.
A second offence would attract ₹5,000, and later offences ₹2 lakh.
A senior official said accurate weights are basic to everyday buying.
The changes aim to make businesses face clear consequences for breaking standards.
What happens next for the rules?
The food and civil supplies department issued a draft notification on November 2.
People can send suggestions and objections within 15 days.
After considering the feedback, a final notification will be issued.
The new provisions will then come into force with immediate effect.
The state is revising these rules after 15 years. The original rules were first introduced in 2011.
- 2011Original weights and measures rules were first introduced.
- November 2Food and civil supplies department issued the draft notification.
- Within 15 daysPeople can send suggestions and objections on the draft.
- After feedbackA final notification will be issued after considering feedback.
- Immediate effectThe new provisions will then come into force.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Explainer
What happened before
- Maharashtra's rules on weights and measures were first introduced in 2011.
- The state government is now revising these rules after a gap of 15 years.
Why it matters
The changes aim to protect consumers from being overcharged for goods they buy with less than the stated quantity.
What to watch next
- The food and civil supplies department issued a draft notification on November 2, asking for public suggestions and objections within 15 days.
- After considering the feedback, a final notification will be issued, and the new provisions will come into force with immediate effect.
