Sri Vijaya Puram, November 13: Pursuant to the directions of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, to safeguard consumer interests and ensure high-precision accuracy in trade transactions involving high-value commodities, the Directorate of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (Legal Metrology Wing), Andaman and Nicobar Administration, has notified an amendment to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011.
Under the amended rules, it is now mandatory for all jewellers, bullion merchants, goldsmiths, pawnbrokers and traders dealing in precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum, and precious stones across the Union Territory to use exclusively weighing balances with a verification scale interval (e) or scale division of 1 mg (0.001 g).
All concerned traders and bullion dealers trading in precious metals and stones must upgrade to, and operate only, Class I or Class II electronic or precision balances having a scale division of 1 mg. Every 1 mg precision balance put into commercial use must be duly verified, calibrated and stamped by the Legal Metrology Section before use, in accordance with Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Enforcement teams of the Legal Metrology Wing will conduct regular inspections. Non-compliance, including the use of unverified balances or balances with coarser scale divisions (for example, 10 mg or 100 mg), will attract strict penal action, seizure of non-standard instruments, and compounding or prosecution under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Consumers are also urged to check for the valid Legal Metrology verification stamp or certificate displayed prominently at jewellery outlets, and to verify the 1 mg digital display reading before concluding any purchase. To report non-compliance or file complaints, consumers can contact the Department in writing, or call the Consumer Helpline Toll Free No. 18003453197 or Telephone No. 03192-230337.
