History of Weights & Measures Department

          With a view to provide a coherent scheme and uniform standards of Weights & Measures, the first Act namely Standards of W&M Act 1956 was enacted based on metric system and international system of units recognized by OIML – International Organization of legal metrology. With regard to keep pace with rapid advances made in the field of science and technology all over the world, CGPM evolved a practical system of units known as SI units (Le Systeme Internation d’ Units) to facilitate working. It includes seven base units, two supplementary units and about 50 devised units enimated from six primary units established by 1956 Act. The OPML, responsible for preparation of International laws – on legal metrology prepared the draft of a legislation for enactment by member countries adopting metric convention. India is one of the members of OIML- International Organization of legal metrology.

          The Central Govt. constituted a committee to consider the changes required to be made in 1956 Act on the recommendations of International organizations. Hence a bill was introduced with the following main features:-

(a)       Establishment of the standards of Weights & Measures based on SI units and establishment of Standards of numeration, based on the international form of Indian numerals.

(b)       Regulation of inter-state trade and commerce in weights & measures and commodities sold in packaged form.

(c)       Approval of models of weighing & measuring instruments.

(d)       Establishment of an Indian Institute of Legal Metrology for imparting training to inspectors and other persons.

(e)        Punishment for offences against the proposed legislation.

            After having been passed by both the Houses of Parliament and receiving assent of the President of India on 8-4-76, it became Standards of Weights & Measures Act 1976.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF OUR ACTIVITIES           

           The Weights and Measures Department is engaged in regulating use of correct weighing and measuring instruments in production, trade and commerce to ensure that exact weight, measure and number of any commodity is provided to any customer as contracted for, or paid for by him. It also safeguards consumers’ interest by ensuring mandatory declarations on packaged commodities.

           The Department carries out regular/surprise inspections in markets, fair price shops, kerosene oil depots, petrol pumps, gas agencies etc. to check whether measuring and weighing units bear valid verification stamp and deliver correct weight, measure or volume of commodities to consumers. Inspections are also conducted on receipt of complaint from any source either in writing or telephonically.  Action for short measurement, use of defective and non-standard weights and measures is taken as per provision of relevant Act and Rules.

          The Department undertakes verification of auto-rickshaws/taxi fare meters, tank lorries, and petrol dispensing units. It also conducts regular checking of fare meters of auto rickshaw/taxies on road in association with State Transport Authority and State Traffic Police.

           Packaged commodities are regularly inspected to see whether the mandatory declarations such as complete name and address of the manufacturer/packer/ importer, month and year of packing/import, common or generic name of the commodity, net contents and the sale price of the package (Maximum Retail Price, incl. of all taxes) are printed on the such packages and declaration printed on them conform to the contents of the package.

           This department deals with implementation of following Acts and Rules.

1. The Standards of Weights & Measures Act 1976
2. The Standards of Weights & Measures (Enf) Act 1985
3. The Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules,1977
4. The Standards of Weights & Measures (General)  Rules, 1987

          Under these Acts and Rules all the Weights & Measures used in trade, industrial production and human safety are mandatory to be verified and stamped periodically by this department.  The user of Weights & Measures has to submit the Weights & Measures to the concerned Zonal inspector for verification either directly or through licenced repairers.

          All the consumers generally purchase the goods either in Weight or in volume or in length or in numbers etc and  the responsibility has been cast upon this department to ensure that the consumer gets the correct quantity whether it is in Weight, in volume, in length or  in numbers for which he has paid the money to the consumer.

          In brief, this Department has to check that all the Packaged Commodities like soap, Biscuit, Bread, Dal, Rice, Masala and the items sold in volume like Milk, Kerosene, Petrol are supplied to the consumer in the correct weight or volume.  For this purpose, the department makes regular inspections and those who violate the laws are prosecuted.         

Services offered by the Department to the Citizens

The following services are being offered by the W & M Department to the citizens :

1.         Stamping and Verification of Weights, Measures, Weighing and Measuring instruments used by the commercial establishments.

2.         Verification & Stamping of Autos / taxi fare meters.

3.         Verification & Stamping of Weigh bridges.

3.         Calibration / verification of Tank lorries / flow meters used in transportation of petroleum products.

4.         Stamping / sealing of dispensing units of Petrol pumps.

5.         Checking of net contents of LPG at bottling plant or retail outlets.

6.         Issue of licences for Manufacturing, Repairing and dealing with Weights, Measures, Weighing and Measuring instruments being used in commercial establishments.

7.         Registration of Packers, Manufacturers and Importers of packaged commodities.

8.       Checking, inspections and prosecutions of the commercial establishments found violating the provisions of Weights & Measures Laws in r/o short delivery of the commodities.

9.       Checking of packaged commodities being offered for sale by the commercial establishments regarding their net contents in r/o weights, measures, volume or number and regarding the mandatory declarations to be made on the packaged commodities like :

a.    Name and complete address of the Manufacturer, Packer and / or importer of the packaged commodities.

b.    Net contents in terms of weight, volume or number.

c.   Date of manufacture/packing/import of the commodity (month and year).

d.   MRP (inclusive of all taxes).

10.        Checking of commercial establishments regarding the overcharging above the MRP in respect of the sale of packaged commodities

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