ITANAGAR, Nov 5: The Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs (LMCA), GoAP, ICR conducted a routine inspection at the Naharalagun market area to contain unfair trade practices.
The LMCA team was led by Dr Debia Tana (LMO) the District Consumer Protection Officer (DCPO)-cum-Assistant Controller, along with Tao Tasar, Inspector, Naharlagun & Toyir Riba, Inspector, Itanagar, and accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Police (APP) personnel and staff of the department.
The inspection was conducted to monitor market prices and verify the accuracy of Weights and Measures used by traders, with a view to ensuring compliance with the relevant provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, and the Arunachal Pradesh Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011.
During the inspection, the Department examined whether goods being sold in the market complied with the prescribed standards relating to packaging, labelling, and mandatory declarations. The initiative was undertaken to prevent unfair trade practices, monitor and regulate market prices, and ensure the accuracy of weighing and measuring instruments used by traders in commercial transactions, thereby safeguarding consumer interests.
The exercise is part of the State Government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard consumer interests and curb malpractices in trade. The Department emphasized that transparency in commercial transactions is essential for ensuring fair market practices and maintaining consumer trust.
During the inspection, 12 traders were booked under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, for using unverified weights and measures at their respective business premises.
Dr Tana advised all concerned traders to comply with the amended provisions of the Legal Metrology Act 2009, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011, and the Arunachal Pradesh Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules 2011 so as to avoid attracting penalties under this provision.
He also urged all valued consumers to be aware of their rights and duties as alert consumer under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 as amended from time to time, for greater interest of the common consumer.