Steel & Hardware Chamber of Vidarbha demands recall of order issued by Controller Legal Metrology

Nagpur: Delegation of Steel & Hardware Chamber of Vidarbha, led by Rajesh K. Lakhotia, President, conjoined with Hemant Gandhi, Vice-president NVCC and Nitin Rathi, former Vice-president Napur Zilla Parishad meet Girish Bapat, Minister for Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Protection, Govt. of Maharashtra at Ravi Bhawan on 23.12.2015 and submitted a memorandum highlighting the arbitrary and irrational working of Legal Metrology Organisation (Weight & Measure Department).

Sanjay K. Agrawal, secretary of Chamber called attention of Minister on the order dated 16.11.2015 notified by the Controller, LMO directing traders to arrange (50%) standard weights for verification, renewal and stamping of their weighbridge. Quoting various legal provisions from Legal Metrology Act, 2009, General Rules 2011, Enforcement Rules 2011 and National Standards Rules 2011 he enlightened the dignitaries present, as to why and how said order is bad in law and has potential to open flood gates to corruption & harassment to business community.

Agrawal also brought in the knowledge of Girish Bapat that said order is issued without judiciously deciding our earlier memorandum dated 27.10.2015 raising objection to similar oral orders. He also highlighted that statutory orders notifying/amending rules issued by Controller, in recent past, are rarely and selectively placed in public domain i.e. on departments’ official website.

Girish Bapat after patiently hearing the grievances of business community and say of LMO officers from Nagpur office, was kind enough to give instant directions for calling a joint meeting of traders and higher officers of legal metrology department to discuss the subject matter in detail and put to rest all such issues arising from orders/directions of Controller alleged to be ultra-vires qua the objects and purposes of principle Act and Rules or are based on alleged misinterpretation of Legal Metrology laws.

Jt. Secretary – Manoj Khemani, Executive Members – Vinay Dalmia, Neeraj Agrawal, Rajindersingh Kalsi, Suryakant Agrawal, Manish Jejani, Harish Bhattad and Paresh Ved were part of Steel Chamber delegation and LMO officers Ramanuj (Dy. Controller), Sunil Paliya (Astt. Controller) and Uday Ittadwar (Inspector) were present and participated in discussions.