Legal Metrology in Amritkal

December 2022 is an auspicious month. India has taken over Presidency of G20 and security Council. Proudly it is a paradigm shift in the role from being a “rule-follower to being a rule-maker”. World has lot of expectations attached to Indian Leadership, particularly in the current complex geopolitical and economic situation. Range of expectations is wide- from response to Ukraine conflict to climate change and world order. There is no doubt that India will lead successfully and chalk out a path for others to follow.

On domestic front Amrit Kaal has already set in for the next 25 years to see India rise to a developed nation. Reformation, transformation, innovation, adaptation, have become new priorities for sustainability, growth, competitive edge, ease of living and ease of doing business.

As reflected in the press reports, Government has already, either removed or simplified or rationalized 30,000 compliances. A great feat. It is also complemented by encouraging reports that Ease of doing business and ease of living (Amendment provisions) Bill 2022 covering 35 Acts of which Legal Metrology Act is also a part, may soon be taken up for legislation. This gives a lot of hope to Citizens and business community. 

Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been active in the reformation process and of late, many amendments have come through in Packaging and Commodity Rules. Likewise Legal Metrology (General) Amendment Rules, 2022, that amended Rule 29 has come as a great relief to retailers and manufacturers alike. 

 WEMA is actively interacting with the Department of Consumer affairs for speedy resolution of various chronic issues. Larger objective is to enhance contribution to GDP form the sector and increase geographical reach for more job opportunities.

The issues that have been taken up, discussed and on which work is in progress include the following: –

Self-certification and raising the recertification periodicity to every 5 years  

This is in the back drop of availability of scarce resources that result in delays leading to capital blockage, operational interruption and failed delivery commitments. Estimated ratio of LMOS to Machine population is around 1:> 1lac.

Raised limit of Test Weights    

The impact of raised limit translates in to colossal cost of testing. In case of higher capacity machines like Weighbridges, astonishingly it is double/triple the cost of the machine. This is a great financial strain for a developing country like India.

Multiple Licenses

 Practice of District wise Licenses in some States is a huge compliance burden and restrictive for businesses to expand and grow. 

GATC Rules 2013

 Rule came in to being more than 9 years ago and is yet to take off. Rationalization is long overdue. It is high time not to stick to exclusions and include the coverage of Industrial and Service sector, like MSMES, Large enterprises, Logistic sector, Mining and minerals etc.

Dealers License for manufacturers

  With the advent of one nation one tax in the form of GST, for interstate sales covered by IGST, machines are directly sold and dispatched by manufacturers to users in different states. In that case dealer’s license for different states, serves no purpose. It is burdensome and restrictive for business in terms of time, cost and effort. 

One Nation one Fee Structure

 Non uniformity promotes discretion and subjectivity. Both are not good for healthy competition.

 On the way to resolution of issues and beyond, WEMA is more than willing to work with the Govt and rest of the fraternity to further the agenda of reformation and transformation, towards realizing the bigger goal of Developed India. 

WEMA always welcomes constructive inputs and feedback from the fraternity and beyond. 

Collective voice is more audible, it gets heard sooner.

Look forward to suggestions to speed up the pace of reforms.

Vijay Bhat

Director General

6th December 2022

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