The Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey recently replied to question in Lok Sabha that the Government of India has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. This was done to protect the interests of the consumers in the country.

What are the amendments made?

• The unit sale price of the commodity should compulsorily be displayed on the package. This allows the consumers to make informed decision irrespective of quantity and size of the commodity packed in the package. Also, this will remove the inexactness in declaration of quantity in pre packed commodities.
• The number or pieces that represent the quantity in the package should be mentioned in the package. This will remove the confusion in items sold by number. Earlier such declarations were made as ‘N’ or ‘U’.
• The provisions of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) should be simplified. The illustration and mandatory declaration of MRP in Indian currency including taxes has been removed.

Metrology means science of measurement and its application.