Srinagar 31 Aug :
The enforcement unit of Legal Metrology Srinagar on Saturday realised a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh from an LPG distributor for selling underweight gas cylinders to consumers.
As per reports, Legal Metrology Srinagar, which is entrusted with the mandate of ensuring accurate quantity of goods and services to consumers, said that the LPG cylinders, earlier found underweight by 400 grams against the declared quantity of 14.2 kg, were seized by the department from Srinagar after which the matter was raised with the supplier of these cylinders who pleaded for compounding of this offence at departmental level.
“Acting in terms of the provisions of Legal Metrology Act 2009, the office of Legal Metrology Enforcement Srinagar imposed and realised Rs 1.5 lakh as fine after the offender submitted an undertaking that he will abide by the provisions of Legal Metrology Act in letter and spirit,” it said, adding, “it is the latest of a series of actions which have been taken so far against the various LPG dealers selling underweight LPG cylinders to the consumers.”
During the current financial year (2024-25), the Legal Metrology Department J&K has so far imposed a penalty of Rs 7.14 lacs on erring LPG distributors. “Along with the fine, the LPG suppliers and agencies are being apprised about the issue of the sale of underweight cylinders and have been instructed to ensure that customers are provided gas delivery as per the amount they have contracted for and any lapse in this regard will be strictly dealt with in terms of the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and LPG Regulation (Supply and Distribution Order) 2000,” the Legal Metrology Kashmir said.
It is worth mentioning that it is the duty of every LPG agency to ensure the weight of the LPG Cylinder in the presence of the consumer before delivering it to them. The weight needs to be conducted only by using the weighing scale which is duly verified by the Legal Metrology Department, it added.
The consumers have also been repeatedly requested to check the price of the LPG which keeps changing every month by the Oil Marketing Companies and in case of any overcharging or underweight, they may lodge their complaint before the Legal Metrology Department in this regard.