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    Legal Metrology

    Introduction

    • Legal Metrology wing has been set up to ensure consumer protection against exploitation in transaction of commodities in respect of their Prices vis-à-vis Weights and Measures.
    • Inspection testing procedures are defined to ensure the accuracy of all the transactions bought or sold by weight, measures and to eliminate the potential for fraud, carelessness and misrepresentation during the transactions.
    • The Organization undertakes stamping of all Weights and Measures in commercial use (transaction or protection) periodically for which stamping fee is charged. Inspectors of Legal Metrology, in their respective jurisdiction, are authorized for this under Section 14 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. The Controller, the Deputy Controller and the Assistant Controllers of Legal Metrology perform supervisory duties over the Inspectors.
    • Under the various provisions of the Act/ Rules, an Inspector of Legal Metrology carries out day-to-day inspection, verification and booking of offences against the defaulters.

    Notice are served on the traders for verification of weights etc. which are due, to get their weighing and measuring instruments verified and stamped. The traders are supposed to produce their weighing and measuring instruments for verification at the place and date mentioned by the Inspector. The trader is required to present his weighing and measuring instruments in a clean condition and if on verification it is found to be incorrect, it shall be returned to the person concerned for removal of the defects within a period not exceeding seven days.

    • If any trader violates the provisions of Act/ Rules the concerned inspector will book the challan against the defaulters. The Deputy Controller/ Assistant Controller compounds the challan under the delegated powers. The challan which are not compounded are forwarded to the court of law for final decision.
    • If any consumer has any complaint regarding weights and measures, he can lodge the same with the area Inspector/ Assistant Controller/ Deputy Controller as the case may be.

    Measures Against Cheating

    • In case correctness of a weight is in doubt, consumers may see the bottom of the weight where the seal of the Inspector is affixed indicating the year of its verification. Every weighting and measuring instrument shall have the verifications mark of the inspector. If it is not there or the year of the seal is old, then it is a case where complaint should be immediately made.
    • While taking petrol at the dispensing pumps, one should ensure that the indication is brought to zero before delivery. A 5 litre conical measure is always available/kept at the Petrol Pumps so that consumer can check the quantity of diesel/petrol with help of this measure.
    • While taking kerosene from conical measure, the inside of the measure should be checked for any false bottom or foam etc. while delivery is taken, allow sufficient time for the foam to die down.
    • While measuring gold/jewelery in the shop, make the weighting at least twice and see that the reading is repeated. The consumer should watch that the reading on the balance is not kept below the fan or cooler etc.The reading will get affected. Only Class II (High Accuracy) or Class I (Special Accuracy) balances are permitted to be used in jeweler’s trade.Take a receipt for all your purchase.
    • While buying vegetables from the Market or big shop using electronics balances see that the rate of the particular vegetable is entered properly on the balance.
    • Consumer movement should be created in the area and in case of any underweight the shop should be boycotted in addition to informing the Inspector Weights and Measures.
    • The beam to be mounted on a stand and not to be held in hand.
    • Keep a look out for the Inspector Legal Metrology in your area. He should be contacted and informed in case of any fraud in measurement. The Controller of Legal Metrology sits in the State Capital. In case of any problem related to weights and Measures, he can be contacted at e-mail add: foods@hry.nic.in and Telephone Nos. 0172-2701366 and 0171-2644260.
    Procedure & CheckList for Verification of weight & Measure and its renwal

    As per the section 23 of Legal Metrolgy Act 2009 (Central Act) it is prohibited to manufacture, repair or sale of weight or measure without licence, Inspectionof Licence