SHILLONG, DEC 5: Minister incharge of Legal Metrology Sanbor Shullai has given the department 60 days to submit a status report on its functioning, warning that inaction will no longer be tolerated.
“We are having only 13 inspectors in the entire state of Meghalaya, which is grossly inadequate,” Shullai said after chairing a review meeting with department officers on Friday.
“We have discussed enhancing the staff structure, and the chief controller and director have been asked to examine and place it before the meeting for approval.”
The minister expressed disappointment with the department’s performance, citing a lack of cases detected and penalized since the state’s inception in 1972.
“The report is very negative. That is why we have given the department 60 days to submit the status report,” he said.
Shullai instructed inspectors to conduct checks at petrol pumps, weighbridges, and other areas, and submit a report within 60 days.
“They should be sincere and conduct checking at their level with due consultation with the controller of metrology and the director,” he said.
The minister appealed to the public to file complaints if they encounter any irregularities, assuring that action will be taken immediately.
“We will create awareness to the public that this department is working for them. We appeal to the general public that they should not hesitate to file a complaint in the nearest police station and even to me as minister and my department, we will take action immediately and as per law action will be taken,” Shullai said.
The department has been criticized for its lack of proactive measures to protect consumers, particularly those from low-income groups.
Shullai emphasized that the department’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the interests of the general public.
By Our Reporter
