Mumbai: One number for you to WhatsApp complaints on overcharging

After an overwhelming response from citizens on area-wise WhatsApp groups to complain about overcharging, the legal metrology organisation (LMO) has commissioned a dedicated number, on which a group has been created exclusively for such grievances.

After an overwhelming response from citizens on area-wise WhatsApp groups to complain about overcharging, the legal metrology organisation (LMO) has commissioned a dedicated number, on which a group has been created exclusively for such grievances.

So, next time you are overcharged for a packed product, all you need to do is send a complaint through Whatsapp on the mobile number 98696 91666. This is in addition to the control room number 2288 6666 where consumers can complain from 10am to 5.30pm on week days.

“The effort is to provide different platforms to consumers for bringing their problems forward. This will increase consumer participation in cracking down on overcharging by retailers,” said Sanjay Pandey, LMO controller.

The complainants have to give the detailed address of the shop, the product for which they were overcharged and by how much, and the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on the product.

“Taking action becomes easier for us if the complainant specifies details. It will be helpful if consumers give us their contact numbers and name, so that we can get back to them while following up the complaint,” said an LMO official, requesting anonymity.

Last week, LMO officials had created WhatsApp groups on their personal numbers and added residents of their areas to it. These groups are meant to encourage interaction between consumers and the LMO, while the centralised group is for complaints.

“We are encouraging more people to form area-wise WhatsApp groups and add us to them. This will foster consumers’ involvement in uprooting the problem of overcharging,” said Pandey.