Port Blair, Sept. 13: It has come to the notice of the Directorate of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs that certain private cruise operators rendering services between Port Blair and Swaraj/Shaheed Dweep are selling packaged commodities on board their vessels to the passengers at a rate over and above the MRP printed on the packaged commodities.

As per the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rule, 2011 framed under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 no retail dealer or other person shall make sale of any commodity in packed form at a price exceeding the retail sale price. The instance of charging more than the MRP on packaged commodity is in gross violation of the said Rules framed under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Further, dual pricing of identical commodities i.e. having different MRPs on the pre-packed commodities identical in all aspect is also prohibited under the said Act and the Rules framed thereunder.

Hence, all the private cruise operators along with all the traders/retailers have been advised to refrain themselves from any unfair trade practices such as dual pricing of commodities and over charging beyond MRP which may lead to exploitation of consumers. Stringent action as deemed fit will be initiated against any person/firm found indulging in any unfair trade practice as per the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

The Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs has been relentlessly working towards safeguarding the interest of the consumers. All the consumers have been advised that any malpractice found by any person/shop/establishment may be brought to the notice of the Department over Toll Free No. 1800-345-3197 or Telephone No. 03192-230337. The identity of the complainant shall not be disclosed.