The government of India is planning to introduce comprehensive change in the laws and rules governing the weight of food packets owing to increasing sale of packaged items.
A fine between Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 for first offence will be introduced by the consumer affairs ministry for manufacturers, importers and sellers who sell pre-packaged items at more than the retail sale price. The amount will be increased to Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh in case of second offence. Continued offences will lead to a one year imprisonment along with fine.
The proposals will also include higher penalty for selling non-standard packages that do not comply to the norms of quantity, ingredients and other necessary information that need to be printed on the packages.
A fine of Rs 5 lakh will be imposed for repeat offenders. The current fine for the offence is between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
The Times of India quoted an expert on consumer policy Bejon Misra as saying, "We have noticed how manufacturers and sellers fleece consumers. We all see how the designs and packets are big to attract buyers. But when you open them there is little for the consumer. There is a need to have a standard.
"There should be zero defect and zero loss. All packs we picked up in recent years for testing showed less quantity when opened. This time there is seriousness in the department to bring some relief to consumers rather than making rules which only help governments to generate more revenue."
