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The decriminalised sections of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 would eliminate barriers, foster growth of businesses and will help citizens and business to live without the fear of imprisonment for minor violations, said Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Government of India while inaugurating the Round Table Conference on "Ease of Doing Business and Protection of Consumer Rights" here at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today.

In her keynote address the Secretary highlighted the importance of using the latest IT technology to increase efficiency and ensure proper accuracy. She stressed the importance of legal metrology department in the States/UTs, which are ensuring guarantee for measurement accuracy for consumers. She emphasized on the need to have correct weights and measures. She apprised that India has achieved significant milestone of becoming the 13^th country to issue OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) certificates, demonstrating the nation's commitment to international standards. She urged State Legal Metrology departments to align their enforcement rules with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, and to onboard the eMaap portal within one month. She further apprised that the revised timeline for implementation of amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 as January 1^st & July 1^st.

Sh. Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), delivered the welcome address at the Round Table Conference on Legal Metrology. He highlighted the importance of creating a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative policy development. Mr. Khera also urged state officers to refrain from procedural violations and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.

Sh. Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), delivered a presentation at the Round Table Conference on Legal Metrology. He highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the Legal Metrology Division, including the latest amendment in Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, decriminalisation of sections of Legal Metrology Act,2009 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act,2023. State authorities were advised to prioritize effective enforcement over revenue targets, ensuring better consumer protection through improved implementation of the Act and Rules.

The Joint Controller (Legal Metrology) of Andhra Pradesh, at the Round Table Conference, delivered a virtual presentation and highlighted key initiatives such as geo-tagging and calibration of weighbridges to protect farmers. He also emphasised on effective enforcement of Rule 9 under the AP Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011 in gold/precious metals bullion trade, ongoing upgrades to fuel dispensing units with anti-tampering technology, enhancements to OVR, GVR, and MIDCO systems, simplification of the licensing process, introduction of user-friendly tools for net content checks, the development of standard operating procedures, and accurate milk procurement practices. He also outlined future plans to bring new instruments, such as Gold Caratage Machines, Lacto Scan Analyzers, and Moisture Meters, under the Legal Metrology Rules, along with regular LMO training at national institutes such as NPL and CDAC.

Dr. Anant Sharma from Consumers World (VCO) suggested that the violations which impact at large scale may be enforced strictly. The QR code for mandatory declarations on label of a packaged commodity   may not help the consumers and emphasized that the Rules should be stricter and penalty may be as per turnover of the company.

Sh. Shirish Despande from VCO raised the issue of overcharging on milk and water in Maharashtra and other products along with the issues of dual MRPs for same products at different places. He requested to examine whether consumers are being exploited in the name of MRP whereby exaggerated MRPs are printed.

The representative of Uttar Pradesh informed about the best practices and the action taken by them on E-commerce platforms and there warehouses for violations of the provisions of the Act & Rules. He informed that the weighing machines used at 77,999 fair price shops for PDS systems are verified. He informed that during 2024-25, 516 case for declarations of ecommerce websites were booked out of which 364 case were compounded and around Rs 11 crore as compounding fees were recovered.

Dr. Ashish Agarwal, Chief Scientist at NPL, delivered a brief presentation on the Time Dissemination project and its implementation roadmap. Sh. G. Mayil Muthu Kumaran, DDG at NIC, presented an overview of the eMaap portal.

Presentation about the best practices related to Legal Metrology were also given by other states viz Odisha, Punjab and Goa.

The Round Table Conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative policy development, paving the way for an improved Legal Metrology framework that supports both business innovation and consumer rights in India.

The conference was attended by around 250 participants including Controllers of Legal Metrology from various states, representatives from prominent industry associations such as FICCI, Retailers Association of India, ASSOCHAM, PHD, IBHA, CAIT, AIBA, CII and Voluntary Consumer Organisations.

 

    

 

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Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma                                                       

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