MUMBAI, Nov. 15 -- Consumers buying groceries or packaged goods could soon have stronger protection against short-weight sales, with the state government proposing a steep hike in penalties for violations of weights and measures rules, including bringing e-commerce platforms under the regulatory ambit. Under the proposed amendments, manufacturers, packers and marketers of pre-packaged commodities found violating prescribed quantity declarations will face a fine of Rs.25,000 for the first offence and Rs.75,000 for the second, against the existing maximum compounding fee of Rs.3,000. Subsequent violations will be treated as non-compoundable, potentially leading to suspension or cancellation of registration. The provisions will also cover e-commerce platforms, which were hitherto outside the ambit of these rules. This means online marketplaces could face action if packaged goods sold through them do not comply with prescribed weights and measures standards. The state government has also proposed stricter penalties for the use of non-standard weighing and measuring instruments. Manufacturers, packers, marketers and e-commerce platforms found using such instruments will first be issued an improvement notice. A fine of Rs.5,000 has been proposed for a second offence, while subsequent violations will attract a penalty of Rs.2 lakh. The changes form part of the draft Maharashtra Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (First Amendment) Rules, 2026, issued by the food and civil supplies department on November 2. The department has invited suggestions and objections from the public within 15 days. After examining the feedback, the government will issue a final notification, following which the amended provisions will come into force with immediate effect. "The changes are aimed at strengthening the regulatory mechanism against the use of non-standard weights and measures, tampering and other offences that can lead to consumers being overcharged," said a senior official from the food and civil supplies department. Accurate weights and measures are fundamental to everyday transactions, the official said, adding that the proposed amendments would strengthen the consequences for businesses found violating prescribed standards. The state is revising the rules after 15 years. The existing provisions were introduced in 2011. The 36-page draft also sets out penalties for different categories of establishments, including retailers, dealers, wholesalers, distributors, petrol pumps, CNG and LPG retailers, and manufacturers, repairers and dealers of weights and measures. These provisions cover offences such as tampering with instruments, manufacturing or selling non-standard equipment and violating declarations on packaged commodities. Petrol pumps and CNG and LPG retailers found tampering with weighing and measuring instruments will face a fine of Rs.25,000 for the first offence and Rs.75,000 for the second. Subsequent violations will be non-compoundable and could result in suspension or cancellation of registration. For retailers, the proposed penalty for the same offence is Rs.5,000 for the first violation and Rs.25,000 for the second. The third and subsequent offences will be treated as non-compoundable. The draft also proposes a 10% increase in the minimum compounding amount every three years, allowing penalties to rise periodically. It additionally recognises government-approved test centres for specified functions under the enforcement framework, strengthening the system for testing and verifying weighing and measuring instruments. The revised schedule of compounding fees varies according to the nature of the offence and the category of establishment. The government says the proposed changes are intended to deter violations and ensure consumers receive the quantity of goods they pay for....