(a) the details of provisions relating to maintenance of electronic weighing machine by
wholesale and retail dealers under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities)
Rules, 2011;
(b) whether the Government has received reports of Kendriya Bhandars, NCCFs and
Super Bazaars not maintaining the said electronic weighing machines in their retail
stores; and
(c) if so, the details of actions taken or proposed to be taken against them for fleecing
consumers?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K. V. THOMAS)
(a): Under sub-rule (7) of rule 18 of the Legal Metrology
(Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, `all the retailers who are covered under the Value Added
Tax VAT or Turn Over Tax (TOT) and dealing in packaged commodities whose net content
declaration is by weight or volume or a combination thereof shall maintain an electronic
weighing machine of at least accuracy class III, with smallest division of atleast 1 g. with
facility to issue a printed receipt indicating among other things, the gross quantity, price
and the like at a prominent place in their retail premises, free of cost, for the benefit of
consumers and the consumers may check the weight of their packaged commodities
purchased from the shop on such machine`.
(b) & (c): The Government has received reports from Kendriya Bhandar, NCCF and
Super Bazar in this regard. Kendriya Bhandars have provided mechanical weighing scales
along with weights to enable customers to verify weight of packaged items sold by them.
These mechanical scales are verified by the Legal Metrology Deptt. of the Govt. of N.C.T.
of Delhi. Kendriya Bhandar had also informed that they are in the process of providing
electronic weighing machines in all their retail stores in a phased manner by 31-03-2012.
NCCF has two retail outlets in Delhi where only packaged commodities are sold. For the
convenience of consumers, weighing machines are made available in each of the stores.
The Super Bazar has informed that all their outlets are equipped with electronic weighing
machines with class III accuracy.