Srinagar, July 5: The Department of Legal Metrology (LM) Monday said that it is mulling to take strong legal action against the Departmental Store ‘Pick N Choose’ for cheating customers.
While talking to news agency Kashmir News Trust, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology, Muzaffar Ahmed Wani said that: “Pick N Choose’ is a habitual offender and in past as well this Departmental Store was warned of legal action if it doesn’t stop pasting fabricated printed stickers on products.”
Pertinently, Legal Metrology Department during an inspection of Departmental Store ‘Pick N Choose’ found that MRP was increased on the products by pasting the new stickers on them. The team seized products from the Departmental Store on Saturday.
“This is the third time we have found ‘Pick N Choose’ violating rules of Legal Metrology Act. Earlier, we seized products from this Store in 2018, then again in December 2020 and now on 5 July 2021. Let me tell you, ‘Pick N Choose’ is a habitual offender and we are planning to take legal action against it under section 36 (1) of Legal Metrology Act 2009,” Deputy Controller said.
He said despite warning it of strict action in past, ‘Pick N Choose’ didn’t mend its ways and continue to past fabricated MRP stickers. “I am very thankful to those who highlighted this news report in the interest of customers. Shopkeepers and Departmental Stores are bound to sell their products on the printed rates pasted by the manufacturers on the products. They can’t hide the manufacturers MRP and past their own,” he said adding that pasting of stickers is a violation of Legal Metrology Act 2009.
Deputy Controller Legal Metrology also castigated ‘Pick N Choose’ for misleading public through its ‘sponsored’ posts downplaying the incident and threatening of legal action against those who highlighted it. “We know what is law. We won’t allow ‘Pick N Choose’ to carry business in unlawful manner. Besides we have sufficient proof and documents against it,” he said and appealed customers to know their rights and inform Legal Metrology if any shopkeeper or business entity cheats them.
Pertinently, the management of ‘Pick N Choose’ while claiming that Legal Metrology team during an inspection found ‘minor violations’ said that “legal action seeking damages is being initiated against the persons/ news agency responsible for having indulged in misrepresentation of facts, sensationalizing the event with concoction and mixing of facts which act on their part is loaded with malice and prejudice as well.” (KNT)