In a decisive move to protect consumers, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has enforced a ban on the use of coloured lighting at fruit and vegetable stalls across the district. This action comes directly after a Times of India report exposed how vendors were employing tinted lights to disguise the true quality of their produce, misleading buyers.
The Deceptive Practice Exposed
A report published by TOI on December 3, titled ‘Vendors use coloured lights to hide quality of produce, fleece buyers’, brought this widespread malpractice into the public eye. The investigation revealed that vendors in weekly markets across various sectors were using lights matching the colour of the items on sale—green for leafy vegetables, red for apples and pomegranates, and so on. This artificial lighting made it nearly impossible for customers to accurately judge the freshness and quality of what they were purchasing, leading to feelings of frustration and deception among residents.
The civic body, which collects daily fees from these vendors, was criticised for initially turning a blind eye to the issue. Following the report, sources confirmed that the MC Panchkula issued clear directions prohibiting the use of such decorative or coloured lights at stalls.
Public Outcry and Swift Action
The TOI report was not the only trigger for action. Residents had been separately voicing their complaints. A written complaint was filed with the MC commissioner by an entity named Solution Box. Furthermore, a resident, Amit Kumar, took his grievance to social media, tagging Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Twitter to highlight the issue.
The response was swift. The Panchkula market committee clarified that while only one market in Kalka operates under it on Sundays, the remaining markets are organised by the municipal corporation. Authorities announced that no coloured lights would be permitted on any stalls in the farmers' market. Stricter enforcement followed, with challans (fines) being issued to vendors who failed to comply and continued to install coloured lighting.
Compliance and a Legal Precedent
Inspections confirmed that the Panchkula MC Mandi in Sector 5 MDC was already adhering to the new rule, with no decorative lights found. This crackdown aligns with a precedent set by the judiciary. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had banned coloured lights in markets in neighbouring Chandigarh. The court had directed that only white lighting be used at fruit and vegetable stalls specifically to prevent the fleecing of buyers, a directive that now finds resonance in Panchkula's actions.
The move marks a significant step towards ensuring fair trade practices in local markets, empowering consumers to make informed choices based on the natural appearance of fruits and vegetables under neutral, white light.
