The sleuths of Legal Metrology Department booked 224 cases against bakers and confectioners across the state on Sunday and Monday, during surprise inspections in view of the pre-Christmas and New Year festivities.
As many as 41 bakers were found to be fleecing customers taking advantage of the rush during the season.
From usage of faulty electronic weighing machines, selling at a price above the MRP, affixing additional price stickers more than the MRP, not mentioning date of packing or manufacturer’s address, short measurement, etc., bakers were found to be indulging in all kinds of malpractices to earn a few extra bucks.
Faulty measurements and overpricing were mostly found in cases of cakes.
The weight of the cakes mentioned on the pack included the weight of the cardboard base it was placed on. At several shops, cakes were found less to be short of the declared weight, officials said. The maximum number of cases were booked in Hyderabad. As many as 50 cases were registered against prominent bakeries like Karachi Bakery and Bikanerwala. Officials booked 17 cases in Ranga Reddy district, 7 each from Nalgonda, Vizianagaram, Krishna and East Godavari, 12 cases each were registered in Vishakapatnam and Khammam, 10 in Kurnool, Mahbubnagar and Medak, 9 each from Nellore and Prakasam, 8 each from Warangal, Nizamabad and Guntur, 6 each from Karimnagar, Anantapur and Chittoor, four each from Srikakulam, West Godawari and Kadapa and three cases were from Adilabad.
Officials explained that the raids were conducted on the basis of complaints received from the public regarding malpractices involving weight, date of packing, etc. The surprise inspections were conducted as per the directions of S Gopal Reddy, controller of Legal Metrology, AP, Hyderabad. Defaulters were booked under violation of Legal Metrology Act and Rules. Officials have requested public to inform the department on 1860-425-3333 or email at clm@ap.nic.in or SMS to 9490165619 in case of grievance.
CM Greets People on Christmas
Hyderabad: Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has wished the people a merry Christmas. In a message to the people on the eve of Christmas, he said, “May this Christmas be filled with joy and happiness. May the glow of prosperity, joy and happiness illuminate your life. Merry Christmas and season’s greetings”.