The Department of Legal Metrology has registered cases against medical shops for overcharging masks and gloves. Surprise inspections were carried out in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. The sole purpose of these sudden inspections was to prevent consumers from being exploited.
Four cases were identified during the inspections where it was noticed that masks priced at Rs. 15 were being sold Rs. 50, and masks that cost Rs. 95 were priced at Rs. 200.
The inspection revealed that some of the products like hand sanitizer, masks and gloves did not even contain the MRP and other legally required information.
Helpline number 04994-25622 has been rolled out for the consumers to provide leads to the Department of Legal Metrology pertaining to overcharging of masks, gloves and hand sanitizers.
Consumers have been directed to notify the Legal Metrology Office if the shops sell the products at a higher price than the MRP.
Criminal cases were registered against four medical shops in Hyderabad for selling masks at exorbitant prices, as a confirmed case of coronavirus in the city saw many scrambling to buy the masks as a safety measure. In the first case, the Kukatpally police booked Maruthi Medical Shop and Sri Sai Medical and General Store, both in Balaji Nagar, under Section 420 (Cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC).
The market of gloves, hand sanitizers and masks is booming due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. To avoid the spread of Corona Virus people are thriving for preventive measures. The shop owners are looting people by quoting their desired prices for masks and sanitizers. There is also shortage of supplies in the market.
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