Shillong, Dec 5: Legal Metrology Department officials rarely conduct physical inspections in the field despite numerous complaints from citizens in Shillong and other areas, Sanbor Shullai, the minister in charge of this department, said today.
However, the department heads informed Shullai that there is a shortage of inspectors, with just 13 for the whole of Meghalaya.
During a review meeting here today, Shullai said he was shocked to learn that hardly any field inspections have been carried out. He instructed his department to take immediate and serious action to stop cheating in markets across the state and reminded inspectors that their primary responsibility is to protect consumers by ensuring fair trade practices.
Since the Legal Metrology Department was formed, it has detected and penalised only a small number of cases. Shullai said this is unacceptable given the volume of complaints received.
The Legal Metrology Department enforces the Legal Metrology Act 2009, which ensures that weights, measures and quantities used in trade are correct. This helps customers get exactly what they pay for and ensures that businesses sell the right quantity. As part of its duties, the department conducts both regular and surprise inspections at markets, fair-price shops, kerosene depots, petrol pumps, gas agencies and other places.
Shullai also ordered the department to submit a complete report of all cases received so far within six days.
Officials at the meeting said that many people do not come forward with complaints, and stressed the need to raise awareness among both traders and customers. They said the public should know that the department is active and ready to take action.
