DMarts in AP fined Rs 2 lakh for tampering with MRP

Hyderabad: The Legal Metrology Department in Andhra Pradesh has slapped a fine of Rs two lakh on two DMart outlets in Visakhapatnam and Kurnool districts for tampering with MRP.

Dr M Kantha Rao, Controller of Legal Metrology in Andhra Pradesh booked 30 cases against several Dmart outlets based on complaints made by consumer activist Srikhande Umesh Kumar.

Mr Umesh Kumar demanded stringent action against the DMart Outlets in the State for selling imported items like toys and shirts by labelling DMart stickers and removing details of the manufacturer and the original MRP.

The complainant alleged, "Management of DMart outlets in Andhra Pradesh is changing the original MRP label on the products fixed by the manufacturer with their DMart Label along with a revised MRP. With this practice, consumers are being cheated. I filed my complaint along with the evidences to the Controller of Legal Metrology on November 18 via email".

Based on the complaint, inspections were conducted on DMart outlets throughout the State. As many as 12 cases were registered under Legal Metrology (PC) Rules in the premises of M/S Avenue SuperMart, Dmart, Marripalem, Visakhapatnam Ltd and a compounding fee of Rs. 1,80,000 was collected.

Four cases were registered for other violations under LM (PC) Rules, 2011 in DMART, Eluru. Two cases were registered under I-N (PC) Rules, 2011 in the Vijayawada outlet, while one case was registered against Ongole outlet on the packages 'Somani nx' shirts & Suitings for violation of Rule and Rule 6(2) of (PC), Rules 2011.

Four Cases were registered against DMART Outlet in Kurnool (two cases under Sec. 8/25 of Act, 2009 and two under Rule 6(1)a & 6(1) a,b,c,d,e, 6(2) of L.M(PC) Rules, 2011). A compounding fee of Rs. 20,000 was collected. Seven Cases were registered for violation of Rule 6(2) of Uh(PC) Rules in the outlet at Guntur.

Mr Umesh Kumar, Founder of ‘Know Your Rights’ told Newsmeter, "DMart outlets all over the country are cheating consumers through various unfair trade practice. Legal Metrology department should conduct inspections regularly on these types of supermarkets to protect the rights of consumers".