SRINAGAR: The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has intensified enforcement and compliance activities across Jammu and Kashmir, collecting around Rs 44.55 lakh in revenue and Rs 9.10 lakh through composition during August, according to the department’s consolidated progress report.
The enforcement drive is being carried out under the supervision of Controller, Legal Metrology, J&K, Shiv Kumar Gupta, with the department also adopting the Improvement Notice mechanism introduced under Jan Vishwas 2.0.
Under the mechanism, establishments found with minor or rectifiable deficiencies are given an opportunity to correct them within a prescribed period before further penal action is considered, wherever warranted.
The department said the approach is aimed at encouraging voluntary compliance while ensuring that persistent and serious violations are dealt with strictly in accordance with law. So far, more than 50 Improvement Notices have been served to establishments for minor or rectifiable deficiencies.
The enforcement framework has also been strengthened with the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Metrology Enforcement Rules, 2026, along with a revised fee structure aimed at bringing greater uniformity and transparency to regulatory services, enforcement procedures and statutory fees.
The reforms are intended to simplify compliance, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and promote a business-friendly environment while safeguarding consumer interests, the department said.
During September, LMD Kulgam took action against two sellers operating on Amazon in connection with a violation detected in July, for which Improvement Notices had earlier been issued. The two sellers were penalised with a compounding fee of Rs 25,000 each, resulting in a total recovery of Rs 50,000.
In another consumer protection-related action, Consumer Protection, Jammu, imposed a penalty of Rs 75,000 on a spare-parts establishment for violating applicable provisions.
Meanwhile, Legal Metrology Unit Kupwara detected short-filled domestic LPG cylinders during an inspection of a gas agency in August following a consumer complaint.
The cylinders were found to be short-filled beyond the permissible limits. The matter was subsequently taken up with the manufacturer/packer, following which the bottling plant opted for compounding of the offence.
The department recovered Rs 2 lakh as penalty from the bottling plant, which also furnished a written assurance to ensure future compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the rules framed thereunder.
The Controller has directed all field formations to maintain sustained market surveillance and ensure effective implementation of the new enforcement framework.
The department said its objective is to strike a balance between ease of compliance and effective enforcement while ensuring accuracy in weights and measures, truthful declarations, fair trade practices and protection of consumer interests across Jammu and Kashmir.
