LMD imposes Rs. 40,000 fine on hand sanitizer manufacturer

Handwara: Legal Metrology Department (LMD) penalized a manufacturer of hand sanitizers with a fine of Rs. 40,000 for violation of Section 18 and Section 36 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 read with the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
Earlier, a team of LMD headed by Assistant Controller, Kupwara booked a case against the manufacturer after carrying out seizure of hand sanitizer samples from Handwara market. Subsequently, the matter was taken up with the manufacturer who, admitted the offence and requested for compounding while assuring the Department that the consumer interests will be protected in future.
Besides, a fair price medical shop was also penalized for not adhering to the Government rates fixed for surgical face masks.
Pertinently, Government has declared hand sanitizers and face masks as “Essential Commodities” under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and has fixed maximum retail price of hand sanitizers and surgical face masks (3 ply and 2 ply face masks) in order to prevent price gouging of these commodities during the pandemic.
Traders dealing in essential commodities have been advised to adhere to the rates issued by Government or face action under law.