The weights and measures division plans to conduct these checks at other restaurants as well. Sanjay Pandey, controller of the department, said, "These meters were not calibrated and approved by the department before installation, which is illegal and liable for action as per the law." The department has reportedly sealed the meters.
The weights and measures unit of legal metrology department has been carrying surprise checks on the gas meters at various city restaurants and hotels for the past week, and have found that faulty meters are giving readings inflated by at least 15-20 percent, which later gets translated into higher bills for customers visiting these restaurants.
The weights and measures division plans to conduct these checks at other restaurants as well. Sanjay Pandey, controller of the department, said, "These meters were not calibrated and approved by the department before installation, which is illegal and liable for action as per the law." The department has reportedly sealed the meters.
"In the last 10 years no such drive has taken place. This has come as an eyeopener for all of us, as the checks have led to shocking findings, As per the investigations, almost all the meters have been found to be faulty and meters are inflated," said Adarsh Shetty, president of AHAR, an umbrella body of hoteliers and restaurateurs.
Sagar Shetty, owner of a popular Ghatkopar eatery, Neo Welcome, which was among those that was found to have glitches in the meter, said, "We were surprised when we were informed that our meters were faulty. Officials from the weights and measures unit have sealed our meters and issued notices to various restaurants."
"Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) is fully cooperating with the regulatory authorities for all necessary compliances with respect to the usage of piped natural gas (PNG) by its valued customers," said an MGL spokesperson.
Sources reveal that the surprise check started last week from a popular MNC burger joint at Chembur. The checks were later expanded to other restaurants where, too, the meters had no approval.
Meanwhile, AHAR representatives held a meeting with the legal metrology department explaining that it was not their fault, and they were, in fact, victims who were paying much more money than the actual bill. The weights and measures unit, therefore, didn't stop the gas supply but have sealed the meters, as it would have led to shutdown of the restaurants.
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