The decriminalization of the LM Act is being considered for ease of doing business by removing unnecessary interference and safeguarding the interests of consumers. The Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal, will preside over the workshop on May 9th at Vigyan Bhawan.
The Department of Consumer Affairs is organising a one-day ‘National Workshop on Legal Metrology Act, 2009’ on May 9th, 2022, with the purpose of taking deliberations from all stakeholders on the issue of decriminalisation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and keeping a balance between consumers and industries. The Decriminalization of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 is being considered for ease of doing business by removing unnecessary interference.
Additionally, the objective of the workshop is to ensure that the consumer is not short-shifted by way of the use of non-standard weights and measures and incorrect disclosure without increasing the burden on businesses and hindering economic growth. The purpose of this workshop is to facilitate stakeholders’ consultation to identify the success by decriminalising the Legal Metrology Act to facilitate Ease of Doing Business and to protect the interests of consumers.
The workshop will be presided over by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, and Commerce and Industry. Shri Ashwini Choubey and Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, will also speak at the event.
The key issues for consideration of decriminalization of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 are: Decrease the burden on businesses and inspire confidence amongst investors; Focus on economic growth and protection of consumer interests; Mens rea (malafide/criminal intent) plays an important role in the imposition of criminal liability. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the nature of non-compliance, i.e., fraud as compared to negligence or inadvertent omission; and habitual offenders for repetition of non-compliance.
The workshop will be attended by all stakeholders, including Ministers, Secretaries, Legal Metrology Controllers of State Governments, Industries, VCOs, and others.