Raids take sheen off Heera Panna

The prestigious Heera Panna shopping centre, one of the city's shopping landmarks, is under the scanner for allegedly adopting unfair business practices.

The authorities have decided to act tough, which might even lead to closure of many of the shops which are accused of foul play. This might reduce half the attraction of the shopping centre, considered the first stop in the city for some of the most coveted imported goods.

About 200 shops were raided by the department of legal metrology (district II) on Friday, which found that most of them were not mentioning the importer's name, month and year of import and MRP on products. These are mandatory under the Weights and Measures Act, 1985.

On Friday, the department decided to raid the complex but had to resort to police help as many shop owners had pulled down shutters after initial reports of the raid spread. Officials later confirmed that cases were lodged. "It was extremely difficult to raid the shops. Retailers created all kinds of trouble for us," said an official.

The main aim was to get to the importers, officials added. "Till the importers are nabbed, these stray raids will not serve any purpose. We all know the source and the procedure through which products find their way to the market," said an official.

The raids were conducted by deputy controller Mumbai region GA Padghan and assistant controller BK Zaware under Maadhava Saanap, controller, legal metrology, MS Mumbai. Confiscated goods included mainly electronic gadgets like I-Pods, Panasonic phones, Binoculars etc. Heera Panna Shop Owners Association members refused to comment on the issue.

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