Maharashtra proposes tougher fines for weight fraud in packaged goods
The state government plans to increase the maximum penalty for pre-packaged commodity violations to ₹75,000.
The Maharashtra government has proposed stricter penalties for violations of weights and measures rules, according to a report by Hindustan Times. The proposed Maharashtra Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (First Amendment) Rules, 2026, aim to address issues where consumers receive less than the declared quantity in packaged goods.
Under the new provisions, manufacturers, packers, and marketers of pre-packaged commodities will face a fine of ₹25,000 for a first offence and ₹75,000 for a second. Subsequent violations would be non-compoundable and could lead to the suspension or cancellation of registration. E-commerce platforms, which were previously not covered by these rules, would also be included.
The draft rules also target the use of non-standard weights and measuring instruments. For these offences, an improvement notice will be issued for the first violation, followed by a ₹5,000 fine for the second and a ₹2 lakh penalty for subsequent offences.
Petrol pumps and CNG or LPG retailers found tampering with instruments would face fines of ₹25,000 for the first offence and ₹75,000 for the second. Retailers would be fined ₹5,000 for a first violation and ₹25,000 for a second.
A senior official from the food and civil supplies department said the changes aim to strengthen the regulatory mechanism against tampering and offences that lead to consumers being overcharged. The department issued a draft notification on November 2, inviting public suggestions and objections within 15 days.
The state is revising rules that were first introduced in 2011. Following the consideration of feedback, a final notification will be issued to bring the provisions into effect.