51. Penalty for contravention of section 33.- (1) Whoever manufactures, distributes, packs, sells or keeps for sale or offers or exposes for sale, or has in his possession for sale, any commodity in packaged form, shall, unless each such package conforms to the provisions of the Standards Act and the rules made thereunder, read with section 33, be punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, and, for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine. (2) Whoever manufactures, packs, distributes or sells, or causes to be manufactured, packed, distributed or sold, any commodity in packaged form, knowing or having reason to believe that the commodity contained in such package is lesser in weight, measure or number than the weight, measure or number, as the case may be, stated on the package or label thereon, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both, and, for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine. Explanation.--In determining, for the purpose of this sub-section, whether the quantity contained in a package is lesser than the quantity declared on the package or label thereon, the maximum permissible error specified under the Standards Act in relation to the commodity contained in such package, shall be taken into account. |
