The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has intensified enforcement and compliance activities across Jammu and Kashmir under the supervision of Controller Legal Metrology, J&K, Shiv Kumar Gupta, with the department reporting revenue realisation of around Rs 44.55 lakh during August 2026.
According to the department’s consolidated progress report for August, another Rs 9.10 lakh was realised through composition of offences.
As part of a shift towards compliance-oriented enforcement under Jan Vishwas 2.0, the department has introduced the Improvement Notice mechanism for minor or rectifiable violations. Under the system, establishments are given a specified period to correct deficiencies before further penal action is considered, where required.
The department said the mechanism is intended to encourage voluntary compliance while ensuring that serious and repeated violations continue to attract action under the law. So far, more than 50 Improvement Notices have been served to establishments for minor or rectifiable deficiencies.
The enforcement framework has also been strengthened through the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Metrology Enforcement Rules, 2026, along with a revised fee structure aimed at bringing greater uniformity and transparency to regulatory services, enforcement procedures and statutory fees.
According to the department, the reforms are intended to simplify compliance, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and promote a business-friendly environment while protecting consumer interests.
During September, the Legal Metrology Unit Kulgam took action against two sellers on the Amazon e-commerce platform over a violation initially detected in July. The sellers had earlier been served Improvement Notices but failed to address the matter to the satisfaction of the department.
Both sellers were penalised through a compounding fee of Rs 25,000 each, taking the total recovery to Rs 50,000. In another consumer-protection action, the Consumer Protection wing of Legal Metrology, Jammu, imposed a penalty of Rs 75,000 on a spare-parts establishment for violation of applicable provisions.
A separate enforcement action by the Legal Metrology Unit Kupwara followed a consumer complaint against a gas agency in August.
During the inspection, officials detected domestic LPG cylinders that were short-filled beyond the permissible limits. The matter was subsequently taken up with the manufacturer/packer, after which the bottling plant opted for compounding of the offence.
The department recovered a penalty of Rs 2 lakh in the case. The bottling plant also furnished a written assurance to ensure future compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the rules framed under it.
The Controller has directed all field formations to maintain sustained market surveillance and ensure effective implementation of the new enforcement framework across the Union Territory.
