The consumer affairs ministry has revised legal metrology regulations to permit government-approved testing centres to verify dispensers for hydrogen, LPG, LNG, and CNG fuels, widening India’s measurement and compliance framework amid the growing adoption of cleaner energy alternatives.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, increasing the number of instrument categories eligible for verification through Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) from 18 to 23.
Under the revised structure, verification charges for petrol and diesel dispensing units have been fixed at Rs 5,000 per nozzle, while dispensers used for CNG, LPG, LNG, and hydrogen fuels will attract a higher fee of Rs 10,000 per nozzle.
Also read: Fuel pangs: India's annual product growth forecast cut 40 pc
“The move is expected to improve the availability of verification services, enhance operational efficiency, and support the expanding use of cleaner fuels across the country,” the ministry said in an official statement.
GATCs are privately operated facilities authorised by the government and equipped with the technical capability to conduct verification and re-verification of specified weights and measuring instruments under the Legal Metrology Act. The framework enables qualified private laboratories to supplement the verification capacity of state governments.
With the latest amendments, state governments will now have the authority to notify additional categories of instruments that can be verified through GATCs based on local requirements. Additionally, officials holding the rank of Joint Secretary and above have been empowered to approve related matters in an effort to reduce administrative delays.
According to the ministry, the reforms are expected to allow state legal metrology departments to focus more on inspections, enforcement activities, and consumer grievance redressal mechanisms.
The ministry also noted that the changes are in line with recommendations issued by the International Organization of Legal Metrology.
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