Centre to soon finalize proposal to legitimize Legal Metrology Act: Piyush Goyal

• In his digital address on the celebration of National Consumer Day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said there is a need to decriminalize the Legal Metrology Act in such a way that both consumer interest is sheltered and traders or businesses are not hard pressed.

• The Centre on Friday said it will soon conclude a proposal to decriminalize the Legal Metrology Act in order to reduce compliance burden for businesses and consumers.

• In his virtual address on the occasion of National Consumer Day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said there is a need to decriminalize the Legal Metrology Act in such a way that both consumer interest is guarded and traders or businesses are not harassed.

• The Legal Metrology Act 2009 enforces standards related to weights and measures. In its present form, the law prescribes imprisonment, in addition to fine, for second or subsequent offence. On the draft amendment to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) rules, the minister said the government has received "very good" feedback from various stakeholders.

• The feedback is being examined to settle the draft, he said, adding that the amendments have been proposed to restrict unfair trade practices on e-commerce platforms and protect the interest of consumers.

• Besides, the government has come out with rules on mediation, direct selling and misleading advertisements. Some changes have also been made in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.