Legal Metrology

Department of Legal Metrology Budgam

Mission, vision, objectives, citizen charter

The department of Legal Metrology is a frontline consumer organization working to regulate the market by conducting extensive market-checking to prevent unfair trade practices related to weights and measures/Packaged commodities/Liquefied Petroleum Gas etc. The department ensures the use of correct weighing and measuring instruments in production, trade, and commerce to ensure that the exact weight, measure, and number of any commodity is delivered to any customer as contracted for or paid for by him. The Department also regulates the sale of Packaged commodities vis a vis the mandatory declarations that must be carried by such products.

Organisational /Functional setup and directory

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Constitutional, legal, and administrative frameworks

1. The Legal Metrology Act , 2009

2. Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities Rules),2011

3. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Order 2000 issued under Essential Commodities Act,1955

4. MS/HSD (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order,2005 issued under Essential Commodities Act,1955

Plans, programs, schemes, and projects

Services offered

Stamping and Verification of Weights, Measures, Weighing and Measuring instruments used by the commercial establishments.
Verification & Stamping of Weigh bridges.
Calibration/verification of Tank Lorries/flow meters used in the transportation of petroleum products.
Stamping/sealing of dispensing units of Petrol pumps.
Checking of net contents of LPG at bottling plant or retail outlets.
Issue of licenses for Manufacturing, Repairing, and dealing with Weights, Measures, Weighing, and Measuring instruments being used in commercial establishments.
Registration of Packers, Manufacturers, and Importers of packaged commodities.
Checking, inspections, and prosecutions of the commercial establishments found violating the provisions of Weights & Measures Laws.
Checking of packaged commodities being offered for sale by the commercial establishments regarding their net contents in r/o weights, measures, volume, or a number and regarding the mandatory declarations to be made on the packaged commodities like:
1. Name and complete address of the Manufacturer, Packer, and/or importer of the packaged commodities.
2. Net contents in terms of weight, volume, or number.
3. Date of manufacture/packing/import of the commodity (month and year).
4. Maximum Retail Price (inclusive of all taxes).
5. Generic name of the commodity.
6. Customer Care Number with name, address, Telephone No. of the person/office which can be contacted in case of consumer complaints.
7. Size, if applicable
Checking of commercial establishments regarding the overcharging above the MRP in respect of the sale of packaged commodities.

Publications and reports

Feedback

For feedbacks send an email to aclmbudgam@gmail.com

Notice Board

FAQ and Help

What is Legal Metrology? What are W&M laws? Why it is necessary to impose these laws?
Metrology is the science of measurement and Legal Metrology means the part of metrology which treats units of weighment and measurement, methods of weighment and measurement of and weighing and measuring instruments, in relation to the mandatory technical and legal requirements which have the object of ensuring public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of weighments and measurements. Legal Metrology is a state level department of Govt. of J&K which ensures uniform enforcement of Standards and connected matters in W&Ms throughout the state. The Govt. has enacted legal metrology act and framed rules for the regulation.
Is there any license to manufacture, sale or repair W&M?
Yes, the Department issues license to the manufacturer, dealer and repairer of Weights & Measures and for dealing in weights & measuring instruments, the license mandatory.
Who is the competent Authority for grant of license to Packer/ Manufacturer/ Dealer/ Repairer in W&M?
The Controller, W&Ms is the competent Authority to grant License for Manufacturer/ Dealer/ Repairer in W&M. Registration as Packer/Manufacturer/Importer of packaged commodities is also done by the controller. All the legal metrology officers discharge or operate delegated powers of Controller of Legal Metrology
Can a person sell or use unstamped weights or measures?
No, Weights or Measure shall be sold or offered, exposed or possessed for sale or used or kept for use in any transaction or for industrial production or protection unless it has been verified & stamped by concerned officer of Legal Metrology.
Is the license issued under Weight & Measure Act transferable?
No, a license issued or renewal under this Act is not saleable or otherwise transferable.
Is it necessary to display the certificate of verification?
It is necessary to display every certificate of verification granted under the Act at a conspicuous place in premises where such weights or measure is being, or is intended or likely to be, used in any transaction or for industrial production or for protection.
What is the penalty, if a person fails to get the weights or measure, verified or re verified in due time?
Whoever, being required to present any weight or measure for verification or re-verification, omits or fails without any reasonable cause to do so, shall be punished with fine which may extends to five hundred rupees and such weight or measure can be seized on inspection.
What is the validity period of any Weight or Measure?

Name of the Weight Validity Period

Cast Iron Weights	Two Years
Bullion Weights	Two Years
Counter Machine	Two Years
Beam Scale	Two Years
Electronic Scale	One Year
Platform Machine	One Year
Steel Meter	One Year
Volume measures (dipping measure, pouring and conical measure)	Two Years
Peg measures	One Year
Storage tanks including vats	Five Years

For the facility to the public the Government have created four Quarters (A) Jan. to March
(B) April to June
(C) July to September
(D) October to December.
For example:- Any Weight or Measure got verified in January it can be re-verified up to next due (A) Quarter i.e, within January to March without any penalty.

How can consumer ensure that any W&M is standard or not?
Every W & M used by the dealer is stamped by the W & M Department after due verification, with a special seal indicating the identification of Inspector and quarter in which it is verified. The validity of such stamped weights is two years whereas in the case of Counter/Beam/Electronic Balances/Platform scale it is one year. Dispensing unit, weigh bridge verification certificate is issued to the user which is required to be displayed at conspicuous place by the trader/user.
Is it mandatory for the user of Weights & Measures that he gets them verified and stamped only through licensed Dealer/Repairer?
No, it is not mandatory. The user himself can get the Weights & Measures verified & stamped from the Inspector of concerned District
Can any person use for commercial purpose any non-verified weights & Measures?
No, a person cannot use any unverified & unstamped Weights & Measure in any circumstances. He must use weights & Measures verified and stamped from Weights & Measures department.
Who is the competent authority to register any person who intends to import or export any Weights & Measures?
Every person who intends to import any Weights & Measures needs to register himself with the Department as dealer in the first instance. Registration of importer is done by the Govt. of India after the recommendation of Department and valid dealer license.
What are the instances where stamping and verification is not necessary under the Legal Metrology Act?
The provisions of this Act, in so far as they relates to the verification and stamping of Weights & Measures, shall not apply to any Weights & Measures which is
a. Used in any factory exclusively engaged in the manufacture of any arms, or ammunition or both, for the use of the armed forces of the union.
b. Used for scientific investigation or for research.
c. Manufactured exclusively for export.
Who is packer?
Any person or a firm, which pre-packs any commodity whether in any bottle, tin, wrapper or otherwise in units suitable for sale, is a Packer. Packers need to register themselves with this Department.
What is pre-packed commodity?
Any commodity which, is placed in a package without the purchaser being present, is of whatever nature so that the quantity of the product contained therein has a predetermined value which can’t be altered without opening of the package, is a pre-packed commodity.
Where to make application for registration as Packer or importer?
Application can be made in the concern District Office of Legal Metrology Department .
What are the precautions to be taken by a person while purchasing Pre-Packed Commodities from Whole seller/ Supplier/ Manufacturer/ Shopkeeper?
Every person who either purchase or sells any Commodity in Pre-packed shape should ensure that it bears the following declarations:-
i. Name and Address of Manufacturer/Packer/Importer.
ii. Name of item/ Commodity.
iii. Net-quantity either in Weights, Measures or length as the case may be.
iv. Month & year of Manufacture/Packing/Import.
v. Sale price of item/packet as MRP Rs ____ (inclusive of all taxes).
vi. Expiry date in case of eatable item.
What are the requirements while purchasing the IMPORTED Items?
The followings are the compulsory declaration required on a packet which have been imported and available for sale:
i. Name and Address of the Importer OR packer OR Manufacturer.
ii. Name of the Commodity.
iii. Net quantity in terms of Weights & Measures.
iv. Year and month of Packing/import.
v. Maximum Retail Price MRP Rs……. (Inclusive of All Taxes).
What are the items on which the Packaged Commodities Rules, are not applicable?
The following are the items on which the PCR, not applicable:-
1. Any raw material for the use of Industrial purpose only.
2. Any part or material used in any Workshop, Service Station repairing
bicycle, tricycle and Motor cycle.
3. Fast food items packed by Restaurant/hotel etc.
4. Drugs/Medicines covered under Drug Control Order.
5. Agriculture farm products in packet of above 50 Kg.
What is the penalty if a person uses faulty weights or measures or gives short / less deliveries?
He shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. Five thousand.
What is the penalty if a person charges more than MRP?
He shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. Five thousand
What are the words or expression which cannot be used on the pre-packed commodities?

The following words or expression of a similar nature shall not be used which create misleading or inadequate impression: ‘Jumbo’, ‘Giant’, ‘full’, ‘family’, ‘huge’, ‘extra’, ‘economy’, ‘large’, ‘colossal’, ‘king’, ‘queen’
Can a packer paste stickers on printed MRP on the plea of rate revised?
No.
Can a chemist may overcharge beyond MRP on plea that medicine is not covered under Weights & Measures Rules?
Yes if the drug is covered under the Drugs (Price control) order.
Where the complaint regarding short delivery of LPG / Petrol can be made?
In the office of controller or the concerned district office
What is the penalty if short weight cylinders are sold?
The fine can be imposed which may extend to Rs.3000/-

Personnel

Establishment of LMD for District Budgam.

1. Assistant Controller (U.T Cadre/ District Head) One post.

2. Inspector (U.T Cadre) one post.

3. M.Assistant G-I (One post)

4. M.Assistant G-II (One post)