JAMMU: Legal Metrology Department conducted a special inspection drive across the Union Territory today to check the rates of consumer goods and thwart unfair practices on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha.

During the drive, 1778 inspections were carried out in different parts of the UT. The teams inspected mutton shops, grocery stores, bakeries and retail outlets. The focus was on checking short weighment, overcharging, use of non-standard weights and measures and violations related to packaged commodities. The inspections led to the booking of 107 challans, and recovery of a penalty of ₹3.5 lakh from the erring traders.

The drives were conducted both independently by Legal Metrology officers and in coordination with other departments, as special squads were constituted by the district administrations to monitor markets and prevent consumer exploitation during the festive period.

The department has appealed to the public to remain vigilant. "Any violation observed, especially short weighment or overpricing should be immediately reported to the nearest Legal Metrology Office.

Citizens can also reach out through the department's actively managed social media handles for quick redressal or to lodging complaints vizX (Twitter): @jk_lmd; Facebook: @legalmetrologyj&k; Instagram: @lmd_jk and YouTube: @jk_lmd," it said.