VIJAYAWADA: To enable customers to cross-check the weight of the commodities they purchase, State enforcement team of Legal Metrology Department installed a ‘dharma kanta’ (weighing scale) at Mahanthi Fish & Meat market in Besant Road on Sunday.
Incidentally, Shankha Brata Bagchi, Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), became the first customer to utilize the service, and he noticed an 800-gram shortage in the five kilos of fish he bought from a trader.
“Bagchi purchased fish and reweighed it at the weighing scale. When he observed an 800-gram difference between the weight of fish he paid for and the weight he got, he lodged a complaint,” Legal Metrology Department Controller E Damodar said.
The officials of Legal Metrology Department said they set up the center to create awareness on the rights of the consumer. “After this incident, the traders in the market have become alert and nobody will dare to give less commodity than the customer has paid for. A total of 28 re-weighments were done afterwards and no such incidents were found,” said E Damodar, adding that the purpose of setting up the ‘dharma kanta’ was served. Steps have been taken to take this initiative across the State, he added.Deputy controller K Vijayanand Rajkumar, Flying Squad Inspector Venugopal and other staff were present.