The department is burdened with as many as 2,487 court cases, and the zonal officials are finding it difficult to attend to them
Cases related to faulty weighing and measuring at different institutions and outlets in the national Capital are piling up in various courts year by year. The Weights and Measures Department officials, who are supposed to carry out inspections in this regard, however, are moving at snail's pace.
The department is burdened with as many as 2,487 court cases, and the zonal officials are finding it difficult to attend to them. The matter was first discussed in February 18 last year. Documents accessed by DNA stated, "This issue of disposing court cases was directed by the Secretary (Legal Metrology) in his meeting on September 9, 2016, which unfortunately has not been taken up in right earnest. In this regard, order was also issued on August 9 last year, and also on January 1, 2017. No action has been taken, so far, and the cases are piling up."
The internal document further pointed out: "There is complete non-serious attitude in not liquidating these pending cases." On an average, 30 such cases are disposed off every month.
The 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 customer as contracted for, or paid for by him. It also safeguards consumers' interest by ensuring mandatory declarations on packaged commodities.
Also, 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 stamps and deliver correct weight, measure, or volume of commodities to consumers. But that, too, is not happening properly.
Consequently, Assistant Controller Shalesh Kumar issued directions that efforts should be made to ensure daily inspection and prosecutions. "Daily inspection by all Legal Metrology Officers (LMO) would be done and in case any of the LMO is not able to carry out inspection, the same would be posted the very day by the zonal officer. The zonal officer would ensure inspections with regard to cases to create an impact in the market," the documents further stated.
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 "Court cases pile up")
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