Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Legal Metrology, Government of Goa, organised a National Conference of Controllers of Legal Metrology on “Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Use of Digital Technology and Consumer Awareness” in Panaji.
The keynote address was given by Pralhad Joshi, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and MNRE, Government of India and Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister; in the presence of Digambar Kamat, Minister for Legal Metrology, PWD & Captain of Ports.
Joshi emphasised that the Legal Metrology Act touches the daily life of every citizen by ensuring fairness and accuracy in weights and measures. He highlighted the Jan Vishwas reforms, stating that while keeping consumer protection, laws should not place unnecessary burdens on genuine businesses. He outlined that seven provisions were decriminalised in 2023, and the Jan Vishwas Bill 2025 proposes to decriminalise many more sections, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties and improvement notices for minor lapses while maintaining strict action against deliberate fraud.
Joshi announced significant amendments made to the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 to substantially expand and clarify the scope and operations of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs). These GATC rules will provide benefits to industries by introducing private sector verification services that operate along with the state Legal Metrology Officers, which accessibility and operational efficiency. There will be reduced waiting times for instrument verification as the expanded network of private GATCs increases service availability.
Joshi stated that the process of granting GATC has commenced. Applications from all States, including Goa, will be accepted and approvals will be issued accordingly. He told that Quantity assurance plays a significant role in enhancing export potential, as quality and quantity both are essential for promoting exports.
With the Government’s proposal to decriminalise all provisions under the Legal Metrology Act, industries shall bear greater responsibility to ensure the accuracy and reliability of weighing and measuring instruments, thereby maintaining quantity assurance for consumers.
Joshi stated that the development of eMaap portal will unify all functions of Legal Metrology including enforcement to create a unified database, providing transparency for consumers, easing compliance burdens for traders and industries, and simplifying procedures for Legal Metrology Officials.
He also informed that on the request of state governments considering the operational difficulties one-time relaxation is granted in the qualifications for the promotion to the post of legal metrology officers.
Joshi further highlighted that India has become the 13th country worldwide to issue OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) pattern approval certificates, marking a significant milestone in legal metrology. Weighing and measuring instruments manufactured and tested in India are now recognised and accepted globally.
He informed that for aiming towards ‘One Nation, One Time’ and achieving precision in Indian Standard Time (IST), the Department has undertaken a project to disseminate IST with nanosecond accuracy from five Legal Metrology laboratories across India.
In his address, Dr. Sawant, commended the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Legal Metrology for organising this important national conference in Goa. He emphasised that Goa has been at the forefront of adopting digital technologies to improve governance and service delivery. Dr. Sawant highlighted the State Government’s commitment to promoting a business-friendly ecosystem through digital transformation, transparency, and accountability.
He noted that the initiatives undertaken by the Legal Metrology Department of Goa — including consumer grievance redressal through quick response systems, e-verification services, and online transparency tools — align with the Government’s vision of Digital Goa and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Dr. Sawant urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards ensuring consumer confidence, ease of doing business, and fairness in trade practices across India through innovation and digitalization in Legal Metrology.
Digambar Kamat praised the Chief Minister for taking the initiative to organise the Conference of Controllers for the first time, in the history of Legal Metrology, India. The Minister urged the participants of the conference to exchange the best practices in Legal Metrology and find concrete solutions for the future roadmap of Legal Metrology in India.
Bharat Khera, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in his opening remarks detailed initiatives such as the eMaap digital integration portal, decriminalisation of the Legal Metrology Act under Jan Vishwas, and harmonization of labeling rules for greater industry flexibility. He also outlined advancements like the Time Dissemination Project (“One Nation, One Time”), India’s new authority to issue OIML certificates, and modernization of testing facilities to improve measurement accuracy.
Stressing consumer empowerment and transparency, he underscored Legal Metrology’s transformation into a technology-driven, responsive, and business-friendly framework that upholds fairness and trust in every transaction.
Sanjiv Gadkar, Secretary Legal Metrology, Government of Goa, delivered the welcome address, welcoming all participants to the conference and Arun N. Panchwadkar, Controller, Legal Metrology, Goa proposed the Vote of Thanks.
The Technical Session of the conference were marked by the presentation of New Initiatives for EoDB & consumer protection by Anupam Mishra, JS (CA) and representation by representatives of Industries, Industries Associations and VCos shared their perspectives.
During The panel discussion-1, panellists from State governments, representatives from Industry Associations discussed on “Digital Transformation in Legal Metrology: Building a future Ready Framework.”
During the panel discussion-2, panellists from State governments, representatives from Industry shared “Best practices for enforcement of legal metrology regulatory framework for consumer protection”.
The conference successfully brought together Controllers of Legal Metrology and representatives from various States/UTs, industry/industry associations and Voluntary Consumer Organizations. The conference concluded with a consensus on preparing a white paper through consultations with all stakeholders, aimed at strengthening the Legal Metrology framework to protect consumers while promoting a fair, transparent, and efficient marketplace across India.
