MLA urges DC to curb sale of counterfeit ‘Mysuru Brand’ products

Mysuru: Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa has urged the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner (DC) to form a special squad to check  sale of counterfeit and substandard food items and fake products sold under the ‘Mysuru Brand’ during Dasara.

In a letter to the DC, he said Mysuru is expected to receive a large number of tourists from across during the festival. There was a risk of spurious food items and fake products marketed as Mysuru specialities, including Mysore Pak, sandalwood oil and sandalwood soap, being sold to visitors, he pointed out.

Such products could pose a risk to public health and damage the reputation of Mysuru’s genuine products and tourism. He urged the DC to constitute a special squad and continue inspections during and after fest.

He also suggested putting up awareness boards at major tourist spots, advising visitors to buy Mysuru speciality products only from authorised and reliable sellers. A dedicated helpline and complaint mechanism should be established to enable the public to report counterfeit and substandard products.

Daily inspections should be conducted with reports on seized goods submitted to higher authorities, he said.

Checks should cover Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, Devaraja Market, K.R. Circle, bus stands, railway stations, churches and other Dasara venues.

Srivatsa called for legal action against those misusing the ‘Mysuru Brand’ name to sell fake or inferior products. He also stressed the need to effectively implement ‘Plastic-Free Mysuru’ campaign during the festival and seize banned plastic items.

He urged officials to verify food quality, expiry dates, labels, packaging, FSSAI licences and product origin details. Samples of suspicious food items should be collected and sent to labs for testing. If counterfeit products or substandard food items are found, penalties should be imposed and goods must be seized following legal action.