Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 13: Pursuant to the directions of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Govt. 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 a crucial amendment to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011.
Under the newly amended rules it is now mandatory for all jewellers, bullion merchants, goldsmiths, pawn brokers, and traders dealing in precious metals (such as gold, silver, and platinum) and precious stones across the Union Territory to exclusively use weighing balances with a verification scale interval (e) / scale division of 1 mg (0.001 g).
All concerned traders and bullion dealers trading in precious metals and stones must mandatorily upgrade to and operate only Class I or Class II electronic/ 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 prior to use, in accordance with Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Enforcement teams of the Legal Metrology Wing will conduct regular inspections and non-compliance, including the use of unverified balances or balances with coarser scale divisions (e.g., 10 mg or 100 mg), will attract strict penal action, seizure of non-standard instruments, and compounding/ prosecution under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Consumers are also urged to check for the valid Legal Metrology verification stamp/certificate displayed prominently at jewellery outlets and verify the 1 mg digital display reading before concluding any purchase. To report non-compliance or file complaints, consumers can contact this Department either in writing or by Consumer Helpline Toll Free No. 18003453197 or Telephone No. 03192-230337.