WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CELL
FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES & CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
DEMAND NO. 12
Pursuant to the directives issued by the Directorate
of Legal Metrology, Ministry of Food & Consumer Affairs, Government
of India, New Delhi, this Departgment had formulated suitable schemes
which were corporated in the State’s Plans for the IXth Plan period,
i.e. 1997-98 to 2001-02). It had been originally proposed to implement
the following two schemes during the IXth Plan period"-
1. ‘Strengthening of Standard Laboratories in
Sikkim.
2. Creation of Enforcement Wing in the State for
Net Content Checking in Factory Premises.
Over the years, trading activities have increased
manifold in the State. As a result of the sincere and hectic efforts
made by the Depargtment to educate the masses abouttheir consumer
rights as well as the laws on weights and measures which seek to
safeguard and protect the consumers from undue exploitation of the
trading segment of the society, there has been a marked improvement
in the situation in so far as consumer awareness is concerned. While
organising consumer awareness programmes, a session for demonstration
of use of weights and measures and lectures on the salient features
of the Standards of Weights & Measures Act, Standards of Weights
& Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, etc. are also tied
up. This measures has been very successful in bringing about a better
degree of honesty in trade transactions.
For the Annual Plan 2001-02, the following proposals
are submitted for consideration:-
I. Strengthening of Standard Laboratories in
Sikkim
Of late, a large number of weighing and measuring
balances are being manufactured in the country, the models of which
are approved by the Government of India. These balances and equipments
are applied for proper and accurate systems of weights and measures
in the general interest of the consumers.
Due to lack of space for installation of more equipments,
only one set of working standard balances of digital type of the
approved model was procured in 1997-98 and the same is installed
in the Department’s Laboratory at the head Office. Another such
set is required in the Branch office at Jorethang (South/West Districts)
also. Moreover, it has been decided to shift the Laboratory of the
Department in the Secretariate Annexe-I, Gangtok, where more space
is available to accommodate more equipments and balances. It has
accordingly been proposed to procure more sophisticated and modern
equipments/balances manufactured as per the latest technological
developments so that Enforcement works can be rendered more effective
and efficient by ensuring that the different types of weights and
measures, weighing and measuring instruments used in the trade transactions
are checked regularly in the consumer interest.
II. Creation of Enforcement Wing in the State
for Net Content Checking at Factory Premises:
There is a blanket ban imposed by the State Government
on creation of new posts as an austerity measure. For this reason,
the proposal of this Deparmtent for creation of two new posts of
Inspectors for manning the Enforcement Wing for net content checking
at factory premises was turned down by the Government and instead
directives were issued for managing the works with the existing
manpower available with the Department and for developing proper
infrastructure to ensure smooth functioning of the Enforcement Wing.
AS of now, this Department is receiving a large
number of complaints containing myriad types of allegations regarding
use of weights and measures, weighing and measuring instruments,
packaged commodities, essential commodities, etc. which have necessitated
frequent surprise raids and checking in different bazaars scattered
throughout the State. Amendments in the Standards of weights &
Measures (Enforcemtn) Act and the rules framed thereunder along
with the Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities)
Rules, 1977 have been brought about in the consumers interest. In
order to ensure that the provisions of laws on weights and measures
are properly and strictly followed by the traders, the existing
enforcement personel have to proceed on frequent inspections and
tours.
(A) Office Expenses: During last year (1999-2000),
one vehicle was purchased and during the current year (2001-2002),
one vehicle is being purchased to facilities smooth and regular
movement of the enform\cement personnel. As already stated elsewhere,
the Laboratory of the Department is being shifted the new premises
in the Secretariate Annexe-I, Gangtok, which is more spacious and
accordingly, it is proposed to procure more working standard balances.
The Laboratory has to be constructed keeping in view of our future
plans to modernise the Laboratory according to specific needs, of
the time. Should the outlay proposed under the Scheme I above fall
short to meet up the costs, funds proposed under this head would
be reappropriated to fulfil the objective.
Accordingly, an outlay of Rs 5.00 lakhs (Rupees
five lakhs) only is proposed under this scheme for the Annual Plan
2001-02.
ABSTRACT
|
(Rs in lakhs)
|
|
Sl.
No
|
Name of the Scheme
|
Outlay
|
Grand Total
|
|
Revenue
|
Capital
|
|
MH-3475
|
Other Central
|
|
|
|
| |
Economic Services
|
|
|
|
|
106
|
Regulation of Weights & Measures
|
|
|
|
|
000013
|
Office Expenses
|
Rs 5.00
|
Nil
|
Rs 5.00
|
| |
(Purchase of Laboratory Equipments and its Furnishing
|
|
|
|
| |
Total
|
Rs 5.00
|
Nil
|
Rs 5.00
|
|
