Lok Sabha Question No. 1396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Sale of Underweight Item
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## 1396.  SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the sale of underweight items has become order of the day;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has launched any campaign to stop this;
- (c) if so, the action taken at present against the persons/companies resorting to underweighting; and
- (d) whether these actions are adequate to deter them from committing such crime and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री बी.एल. वर्मा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE

## CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (d) :  Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, provides for a fine upto Rs. 10,000.00 for selling goods in loose or open form with less weight, measure, or quantity than what was agreed or paid for. Repeat offenses may lead to imprisonment of up to one year, or fine, or both.

Section 36(2) of the Legal Metrology Act provides for a fine from Rs. 10,000.00 to Rs. 50,000.00 for selling goods in packaged form with less weight, measure, or quantity.  For repeated violations, fines can reach upto Rs. 1.0 lakh, or with imprisonment of up to one year or with both.

Rule 6(1)(c) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, mandates that packaged goods must clearly display the net quantity in standard units of weight or measure or number.

Department of Consumer Affairs has been  generating Consumer awareness by  undertaking country-wide multimedia awareness campaigns under the aegis of "Jago Grahak Jago" to reach out to every consumer across the country by utilizing traditional media like All India Radio, Doordarshan, fairs & festivals, etc. as well as social media. Through simple messages and jingles, consumers are made aware about the various unfair trade practices and consumer related issues and the mechanism to seek redressal. The Department had also launched 'Jagriti',  a  mascot  for  empowering  consumers  and  making  them  aware  of  their  rights.  The  mascot  aims  to strengthen consumer awareness campaign and reinforce a young empowered and informed consumer.

State Legal Metrology Departments enforce these laws and take action upon complaints or discrepancies or any short weighing is observed during inspections.

State Governments also undertake various awareness activities through exhibits in trade fairs, issue press releases  and  organize  field  camps.    The  State  Legal  Metrology  Departments  also  conduct  regular  surprise inspections,  periodical  raids,  issue  challans  in  case  of  any  discrepancy  and  compound  the  offences  of  short delivery wherever observed.

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## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1396 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## SALE OF UNDERWEIGHT ITEM