Jammu, April 03: The Legal Metrology Department (LMD), Jammu, has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.50 lakh on a leading e-commerce platform for violations of mandatory labelling regulations. The action was taken on the directive of Controller Legal Metrology J&K, Anuradha Gupta, as part of ongoing efforts to uphold consumer rights and ensure compliance with packaging laws.
The platform, which recently expanded its operations in Jammu by opening physical stores, offers instant delivery of a wide range of products, including groceries, fresh produce, meat, stationery, bakery items, personal care products and flowers.
During an inspection conducted under the supervision of the Assistant Controller, Consumer Protection, Jammu, approximately 1,200 packages were seized for failing to meet the mandatory labelling requirements under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. The primary violation involved the non-declaration of the exact net weight of pre-packaged fruits and vegetables sold through the platform.
After receiving a show-cause notice, the company acknowledged the violation and applied for compounding the offence, leading to the penalty and settlement of the case at the departmental level. The company has assured the implementation of immediate corrective measures to comply with labelling norms. Following the department’s intervention, the e-commerce platform removed non-compliant products from its physical stores for re-labelling and unlisted the violating items from its online platform to prevent further consumer inconvenience.
A spokesperson from the Controller Legal Metrology Department, J&K, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to consumer protection and fair-trade practices. This action forms part of a broader initiative to regulate e-commerce platforms, ensuring they comply with evolving trade regulations and technological advancements. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any discrepancies in product labelling or unfair trade practices. The Legal Metrology Department assures the public of its dedication to maintaining a transparent and consumer-friendly marketplace.
