SHILLONG, JULY 11: Only 1,500 cases of violation against the standards of weights & measures Act was detected in the state during past five years owing to the lack of awareness and shortage of manpower faced by the Department of Legal Metrology.
“We have taken up the matter with the state government with a proposal for additional one inspector and two manual instructors,” Controller of Legal Metrology IW Ingty told reporters at a press conference held here.
The department, which its mandated duty is to ensure traders are giving right measurement to the consumers, is having a small team of 1 inspector and 1 manual instructor posted in each of the 11 districts of the state.
There are 19 classifications of traders under the Legal Metrology Acts & Rules which also include – garment shops, mobile shops, stationery, hotels, restaurants, bakeries, industries/factories, petrol pumps and others.
Stating that it is a challenge for one inspector to look after the entire district, Ingty said the department has detected only 1,500 cases during the past five years from 2011 to 2016.
According to him, the fine compounded from 49,517 traders in 5961 surprise checkings conducted during the period was Rs 14.92 lakh.
The penalty for such offence by traders is Rs 5,000 for the first offence, Rs 12,000 for second offence and 6 months imprisonment for the third offence.
Admitting that lack of awareness among the consumers is also a factor, he said unless you complaint how can the department take action. “The department’s portal has been getting zero complaint.”
He also agreed to need to increase awareness level of the consumers but says that the department’s hands are tight due to lack of fund flow.
Ingty further stated that the department is also requesting the government ‘helpline number’ to encourage aggrieved consumers to come forward and complaint.
Though the department is under the state, the controller also informed that the Central government is also helping the department for the establishment of laboratories across the state.
“During the 11th-12th plan, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the construction of laboratories in the 11 districts. Out of this only Baghmara is yet to get land for setting up of the laboratory,” he said.
According to him, the Working Standard Laboratory, the Secondary Standard Laboratory and Reference Standard Laboratory are catering to commercial weights and measures.
The department is also equipped with mobile testing kit vehicles to verify weighment in the weighbridges – which around 180 are located in the different parts of the state – belonging to FCI, Lafarge, Transport department and others.
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