The department of legal metrology has decided to extend its innovative programme of free checking of the purity and quantity of gold by another month. The department has been conducting a week-long programme since the World Metrology Day on May 20.
The decision to extend the programme follows the good response to the service offered from the office of the controller, legal metrology, at Golconda crossroads in the city.
“Over the week, 104 families have visited the facility to check the purity of their gold ornaments, net content etc. Over 241 jewellery items like necklaces, rings and bracelets were checked. We have decided to extend the facility for another month so that more people get a chance to check their gold ornaments,” said RP Thakur, controller of legal metrology.
“A number of families brought gold ornaments bought long ago and a lot of the gold ornaments were less than 22 karat,” he said.
The department plans to set up such facilities in different districts. The department, with the theme “Measurements in Daily Life” for the year, also conducted an awareness programme through posters and pamphlets, and meetings with consumers and traders throughout the state on issues of underweightment, excess charging and cheating in gold purity.
During the week, inspections were conducted at theatres, shopping malls and other establishments. As many as 42 cases were registered against cinema theatre canteens for selling commodities at rates exceeding the MRP and 168 cases registered against shopping malls for not having on the products the mandatory declaration of the address of the manufacturer, month and year of manufacturing, MRP etc.
People can inform metrology officials in case of short- weighing, excess charging or cheating in the purity of gold, using toll-free number 1860-425-3333 or SMS to 9490165619.