LMD files 294 cases against firms for violating norms

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Legal Metrology department (LMD) on Tuesday registered cases against 294 establishments, including some well-known hotels, malls and spas.

The department conducted searches at 569 establishments across the state to check imported goods and commodities including chocolates, cigarettes and cosmetics.

A total of 569 establishments including importers, malls, spa-saloons and shops in the state were inspected, after which 294 cases were registered for violation of different terms. Seventy-three cases were registered in Mumbai, 21 in Pune, 10 in Konkan, 18 in Nashik, and four in Nagpur.

IPS Amitabh Gupta, controller (LMO), told The Asian Age, "During this special campaign, 123 cases were registered against spas and saloons, 110 against imported chocolate sellers, 19 against cigarette sellers and 42 against sellers of other packaged commodities." “Some of the big establishments against which cases were registered include: JW Marriott, Sahar; Hotel Leela; Taj Land's End, Bandra; Hotel Sofitel, BKC; Four Seasons, Worli; and some well-known spas and saloons in famous malls,” Mr Gupta confirmed.

Asked whether any complaints were received against the five- and seven- star hotels, Mr Gupta said, “We received some complaints and inspection gave us the lead. This organisation is very important for consumers. To prevent consumers from being cheated through sale of imported packaged commodities which do not comply with statutory provisions, we appeal to consumers to be alert.”