The Department of Legal Metrology has appealed to traders to rectify their measuring scales, weights and balances and improve packaging failing which action would be initiated against them.
The department will launch a drive against defective weights and measures from next month on the directions of V.K. Singh, who has taken over as Controller of Legal Metrology Department in Hyderabad last week.
Announcing this at a media conference here on Monday, Regional Deputy Controller G.V. Ranganadha Swamy and Assistant Controller T. Haji Vali said that the amended laws provide for more stringent punishment of erring traders. All gold merchants have to use only 1 mg accuracy weighing machines of class II or class I as per the AP Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011. They should invariably indicate the net weight of gold, weight of stones, cost of the gold and purity in terms of karat in the cash bill.
They said that gold merchants were given six months time for procuring the high accuracy machines after which action would be initiated against them if they do not comply with the new rules.
Weigh bridges should be lead-wire sealed and stamped. Their usage should be stopped if repairs were made and they could be reused only after certification from the department. The weigh bridge should not have any software other than that was approved at the time of approval of the model. Petrol and diesel pumps should ensure that all parts were sealed properly using lead wire. The Department has launched a consumer helpline number 1860-425-3333 (BSNL). Consumers can call the number to lodge their complaints. Consumers in Visakhapatnam can also call the Legal Metrology Office (0891) 2799551.
