MyMUL errs again; to be penalised

Milk powder of Ksheera Bhagya scheme found underweight

Mysore-Chamarajanagar Milk Producers Cooperative Union Ltd (MyMUL) has now been booked by the Legal Metrology department for underweight pouches of Nandini Skimmed Milk Powder under Ksheera Bhagya scheme.

During an inspection by the department, on Monday, it was found that the skimmed milk powder pouches of 500 gms, which were to be supplied to government and aided schools for Ksheera Bhagya scheme, did not contain the actual weight of the powder.

A team of the department officials, according to the procedures mentioned in Section 19 of Legal Metrology Act (Package Commodity Rule 2011), checked random samples of 32 sachets for the net content in the standard machines to check weights of the packages. The packs, which declared a weight of 500 gms, had a difference of 10 gms to 20 gms — thus weighing 480 gms to 490 gms.

The officials have booked a case on the spot and have issued a not­ice to MyMUL against violation under Section 18 (1) of Legal Metrology Act 2009. MyMUL will be penalised. If they challenge the penal action, the case will be moved to the court of judicial magistrate.Lokesh of Consumer Forum says, terming it ‘underweight’ or a ‘blunder’ is not appropriate as it could have been done ‘intentionally’, involving the workers concerned.

He alleged that the difference, unpacked product, could be sold by the workers in collusion with officials in the marketing and dispatch sections to hotels or firms.An official of MyMUL, who confirmed the inspection to Deccan Herald, said, the error was in the production level itself and the penalty will be imposed on the dairy. “A notice was issued on the spot, but we are yet to receive a penalty notice,” source add. MyMUL supplies around 40 tonnes of skimmed milk powder to schools in Mysore and Chamarajanagar district every month.