Andhra Pradesh: Legal metrology officials raid rythu bazaars, 38 cases booked

VIJAYAWADA: Officials of legal metrology conducted raids at rythu bazars across the state on Sunday to verify weighing machines being used by vendors, especially sellers of meat and fish. As many as 38 cases were booked against vendors for using unauthorised weighing machines and modes to weigh items.

The raids were conducted in Vijayawada , Visakahapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati and Kurnool. Special teams were deployed at 42 markets across these cities.

The joint controller of legal metrology, B Ram Kumar, said the inspections were part of regular enforcement work. “We have identified discrepancies at 38 places where traders were measuring weights in litre instead of kilogram in their electronic weighing machines. The electronic weighing machines can measure weights in litre and kilogram. The margin of error in litre is around 50 to100 grams per kg,” said Ravi Kumar.

Machines are stamped and sealed at the time of purchase by concerned legal metrology officials. They make either kilogram or litre as the default unit of measurement depending on what the vendor sells. But traders are tampering with the seal and changing the mode to dupe consumers, observed Ram Kumar. He said consumers can call on 9885821643 and lodge complaints if they have doubts over measurements.

Meanwhile, M Kantha Rao, IG, controller of legal metrology has directed officials to conduct awareness campaigns at rythu bazaars on the kinds of irregularities that vendors resort to and the right kind of weights and instruments used so that people are not duped.