Jammu: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali Friday informed the House that the Legal Metrology Department booked 5052 establishments and realized a fine of Rs 66.59 lakh by conducting 40861 inspections during 2017.
Replying to a question of Naresh Kumar Gupta in the legislative council, the Minister informed that the weighing scales, weights and measures available in the rural areas have been stamped by the department by organizing series of camps. He said government is also examining a proposal for reorganization of the department to further strengthen and increase its visibility in the rural and far-off areas.
He further informed that the Legal Metrology Department regulates 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 as contracted for or paid for by the consumer. It conducts extensive market checking to prevent unfair/restrictive trade practices being adopted by some unscrupulous traders, he added.
He further said the department undertakes verification of auto-rickshaws/taxi fare meters, tank lorries and petrol dispensing pumps.
About implementation of Guest Control Act, the Minster said due to evoking of High Court orders, the same could not be implemented in letter and spirit. He informed that a legislation related to the matter is also under the consideration of the government and it would be bring in the House soon, he added.
Replying to a supplementary question of Surinder Kumar Choudhary, the Minister informed that the department conducts regular inspections of the petrol pumps and no case of adulteration was reported from across the state.
Legislator Ghulam Nabi Monga also raised supplementary question to the main question.
