In a crackdown on unfair trade practices, a bar in Kannur district has been penalized a significant sum for cheating customers by serving them less liquor than they paid for. The action was taken during a statewide vigilance operation targeting irregularities in the sale of alcohol.
The Short-Peg Scam Uncovered
Vigilance officials, acting on specific intelligence, conducted a surprise inspection at the Pratheeksha Bar located in Pazhayangadi, Kannur. The team discovered that the establishment was systematically short-changing its patrons. Instead of serving the standard 60ml peg, the bar was using a measure that dispensed only 48ml. Similarly, for the smaller 30ml pour, customers were receiving a mere 24ml of liquor.
Officials revealed that they had received prior information suggesting that customers were being served these reduced quantities, particularly after they had consumed two or three pegs and might be less alert. The raid confirmed these suspicions, leading to immediate action.
'Operation Bar Code' Sweeps Kannur
This inspection was not an isolated event but part of a broader, coordinated effort named 'Operation Bar Code'. The operation involved checks at multiple bars across the district to ensure compliance with legal standards and prevent malpractice.
Simultaneous inspections were carried out in four bars located in Iritty, Thaliparamba, Pazhayangadi, and Payyannur. The teams were led by vigilance DSP Babu Peringeth in Payyannur, and inspectors Sajeev in Thaliparamba, Sunil Kumar in Pazhayangadi, and Vinod Chandran in Iritty.
A key component of the operation involved scanning the QR codes on liquor bottles to verify their origin and intended destination. During checks in Iritty, Thaliparamba, and Payyannur, discrepancies were noted where liquor supplied to those locations was found to have been officially allotted to other places. There were also mismatches in brand and category. However, the preliminary assessment suggests these could be technical issues related to the QR code system, and further investigation has been ordered to ascertain the facts.
Penalty Imposed on the Spot
Following the detection of the short-measuring at Pratheeksha Bar, the vigilance team did not delay action. They promptly summoned officials from the legal metrology department to the spot. After verifying the violation, a fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed on the bar immediately.
This swift penalty underscores the authorities' commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring fair trade practices in the retail liquor industry. The operation sends a clear message to other establishments that such malpractices will not be tolerated and will result in strict financial consequences.
