The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has opposed the amendments to the packaged commodity rules on the grounds that they help the sale of imported goods at the cost of Indian manufacturers and consumers. | |
| The amendments pertain to the rules governing the Standards of Weights and Measures Enforcement Act 1985. The amendments cover 34 commodities like biscuits, animal feed, bread and bun products, baby food, cereals and pulses, coffee, cake, cream, milk cream, fruits, milk powder, tea, fertiliser and many more products. |
| |
| According to FKCCI, the amendment gives undue advantage to the packaged commodities manufactured abroad and imported into India. |
| |
| "They are not bound by the specified quantities in which the commodities are to be packed. Further, the net contents of such imported packages may not be within the maximum permissible error," said B K Goyal, chairman, FKCCI Coordination Committee. |
| |
| On the other hand, Indian manufacturers of the packaged commodities will be required not only to declare the essential particulars to be displayed on each package according to the Package Commodities Rules, but also the net quantity. If it is deficient by more than the maximum permissible error, the Indian manufacturer can be prosecuted," he pointed out. |
| |
| "For instance, there are chances of paneer losing its net weight during transit from Kashmir to Karnataka. Under such circumstances, Indian manufacturer can be held responsible. If the paneer is imported from an European country and if there is loss in its net weight during transit, the importer will not be penalised," he said. |
| |
| Further, if the traders charge more than the maximum retail price declared on the packet, they can be prosecuted for overcharging. |
| |
| "If the particulars required to be declared are not printed as per rules, the stock of the packaged commodities can be seized by the officers of Legal Metrology Department," Goyal noted. |
| |
| Goyal contended that importers and foreign manufacturers were not bound by these rules. "They will be free to behave as they like to the detriment of the consumers. Most of the large format retail stores are offering 40-45 per cent discount on the maximum retail price of imported commodities. Why is the government not taking action?" he said. |
| |
| The FKCCI has written to the Centre to set right the discrepancies. "The amendments are arbitrary and illegal. The notification should be struck down immediately. The Maximum Retail Price Act should also be scrapped as it has lost value," Goyal said. |
| |
|
| |
