There was no provision under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, but now rogue offenders will be penalised
There was no provision under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, but now rogue offenders will be penalised
Medical stores continue to take advantage of the increasing cases of swine flu and exploit people. MiD DAY had reported how the prescribed N95 facemasks, available between Rs 75-80, are selling for approximately three times the price.
Chemists are exploiting a loophole within the existing law wherein items weighing under 10 gms do not come under the purview of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act.
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Ek ka tees: Shortage of masks at chemists has forced people to buy them from vendors at railway stations. |
"If a consumer wants to lodge a complaint against a chemist for selling a Rs 65 mask for Rs 500, he cannot approach the consumer court because articles under 10 gms don't require an MRP marking," said a source from the department.
Consequently, the state government and consumers can do nothing about it.
Strict actionBut this may change following a meeting between the FDA and the Weights and Measures Department on Thursday.
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"We will take punitive action against chemists and individuals on two accounts for selling defective masks and overcharging people," said Mumbai FDA commissioner Dhanraj Khamatkar.
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The punishment will depend on the gravity of the case and may include warnings about cancellation of sale licenses.
Meanwhile, trade associations have decided to take internal action.
"We will blacklist any member found overcharging customers, as this is a serious offence," said Deepak Dave, vice president of the 300-member Medical Surgical and Healthcare Industry Trade Association.
Financial consultant Sudeep Mukherji (26), who went looking for a surgical mask, last week, said, "Four chemists on Hill Road told me they were out of stock.
Another store charged me more than the cost price. When I protested, he told me to leave if I didn't want to pay more."
