Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched a nationwide capacity-building initiative for Legal Metrology Officers across the country following the decriminalisation of provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the introduction of wide-ranging reforms under the Act and Rules, including the Jan Vishwas reforms and measures to promote ease of doing business.
The specialised training programme is designed particularly for frontline Legal Metrology Officers of the States and Union Territories, who directly enforce the provisions of the Act and Rules. It seeks to ensure consistent and effective implementation of the reforms at the last mile, while safeguarding the interests of consumers and industry.
The first five-day training programme was conducted for officers of the Government of Gujarat from 10 to 14 August 2026.
As part of the initiative, the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, successfully conducted the second five-day Special Training Course on “Latest Reforms in the Legal Metrology Framework” from 17 to 21 August 2026 for 38 Legal Metrology Officers from Uttar Pradesh.
The course focused on equipping field-level enforcement officers with the knowledge and practical skills required to implement the evolving regulatory framework effectively. Over the next four months, all States and Union Territories will be covered under this specialised five-day training programme at IILM, Ranchi, with the objective of training Legal Metrology Officers across the country.
Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs emphasises uniform implementation of reforms
The Valedictory Function of the Special Training Programme for Legal Metrology Officers of Uttar Pradesh was graced by Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, who interacted with the participating officers and emphasised the importance of effective and uniform implementation of the recent Legal Metrology reforms.
Addressing the officers, Smt. Nidhi Khare emphasised that Legal Metrology has a direct and visible impact on the daily lives of citizens. With rapid advances in technology and the emergence of new instruments and measuring systems, ensuring accuracy, reliability and traceability of measurements has become increasingly important.
She highlighted that strong regulatory systems must go hand in hand with ease of doing business, innovation and effective consumer protection.
She further stressed that reforms must reach the last mile and that field-level officers have a critical role in translating policy reforms into better services and greater confidence among consumers and businesses. She also highlighted the importance of participatory governance, including initiatives such as Reform Utsav, which provide an opportunity for consumers and stakeholders to contribute suggestions for further improvement.
Key areas covered under the training programme
The training covered the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules made thereunder, Jan Vishwas reforms of 2023 and 2026, decriminalisation and Improvement Notices, recommendations of committees on measures to promote ease of doing business, reforms relating to Model Approval and GATCs, and emerging measures for ease of doing business while safeguarding consumer interests.
The programme also provided a platform for officers to discuss practical challenges in implementation, enforcement and service delivery, thereby helping bridge the gap between policy and its effective implementation on the ground.
The successful completion of the programme reflects the Department of Consumer Affairs’ continued focus on capacity building, regulatory reforms, ease of doing business and effective consumer protection through a modern, responsive and technology-oriented Legal Metrology system.
