The weight on the scale and the price on the packet: the Kerala department that checks both

Background

In Kerala the law of weights and measures is enforced by the Legal Metrology Department. Metrology is the science of measurement. The department, formerly known as the Department of Weights and Measures, is empowered to certify the accuracy of weights, measures and weighing and measuring instruments used in transactions, to safeguard the interest of consumers, by enforcing the Legal Metrology Act and the rules made under it, including the Packaged Commodities Rules. Its stated objectives include ensuring metrological accuracy in instruments used in trade and commerce, the mandatory declaration on packaged commodities, that the retail sale price of a packaged commodity does not exceed the MRP, correct net contents, and delivery of commodities in correct quantities by weight, measure or number; it also aims at uniformity in weights and measures across the State and at awareness among the public, entrepreneurs and tradesmen. Its listed functions are periodic verification and certification of weighing and measuring instruments; periodic inspections to find defaulters, to enforce delivery of commodities in correct quantity, to ensure mandatory declarations and net quantity on packaged commodities and to ensure registration of manufacturers and packers of packaged commodities; and statewide training and awareness classes. Another stated objective is to set up modern laboratories to calibrate instruments used in trade and commerce, in hospitals (person weighing scale, thermometer, sphygmomanometer), speed radar for the speed of automobiles, decibel meters for acoustic measurement, photometers for the intensity of light, clarity meters for the transparency of films and sheets, and for measuring data speed in communication networks. The head of the department is the Controller of Legal Metrology, and the head office is Legal Metrology Bhavan at Vrindavan Garden, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. Complaints about violations of the Act and Rules can be registered on the mobile number 9188 918 100.