Fraud in weights and measurements remains a significant issue in Bengaluru, despite the widespread use of digital weighing machines. Consumers are frequently deceived in transactions involving essential items such as steel, iron, petrol, fertilizers, rice, sugar, and pulses. Although laws exist to combat such malpractices, the Legal Metrology Department has struggled to protect consumers from a sophisticated network of fraudulent vendors, as gaps in regulations persist.
In the past 17 months leading up to August, the Legal Metrology Department conducted 20,391 inspections within the Bengaluru Urban district, resulting in 5,375 cases and fines totaling ₹1.79 crore. From April to August 2024 alone, officials performed 4,912 inspections, filed 1,398 cases, and collected ₹39.10 lakh in fines. Common violations identified include the failure to renew official stamping, selling goods with incorrect weights, faulty auto meters, and unlabeled packaged products.
The department has ramped up checks on auto meters and petrol stations, uncovering 62 instances of meter fraud in October alone, leading to ₹2.92 lakh in fines for two petrol stations. In total, inspections at petrol stations, including those in Dasanapura and Basavanagudi, resulted in 963 cases and penalties amounting to ₹15.12 lakh over the past 17 months. Additionally, checks at KFCSC godowns and fair-price shops revealed 138 cases with fines of ₹5.99 lakh.
Officials are urging consumers to report suspected violations, noting that repeat offenses could lead to court cases. Consumers are encouraged to monitor measurements carefully and file complaints through the state’s online portal at www.emapan.karnataka.gov.in/.
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