All the states can have their own Act and the centre has its own which applies to the whole of India. For centre- the Legal Metrology Department falls under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Wing of the Government of India.
If we talk about state licenses, every State Government has their respective Legal Metrology Department with different names like in Delhi State Government has the Department of Legal Metrology with the name of “weights and measurements departments”.
What Is The Role Of The State and Central Government In Legal Metrology Act?
Subjects of legal metrology fall under the concurrent list of the constitution of India- which means both states and the centre have the power to grant licenses under the LM Act.
But licences related to weighing and measuring instruments as well as weights and measurements are only issued by the centre, whereas licenses related to packaging of goods under The Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules,2011 can be issued by the state as well as the centre.
Incase of central licenses, the duty of enforcement of the law is of the state government, it’s only through state governments, that the central government enforce the given law.
Which Is a Better Option To Have a Centre License or State License?
If you have a business address in one state or your place of business is within one state- in such case, you can go for state licence. REMEMBER YOU CAN ALSO APPLY FOR CENTRAL LICENSE.
Central Government License is mandatory under certain cases
You need to mandatorily apply for a centre license in the following two cases:-
- When place of business address in more than one state.
- When you require any license related to weighing and measuring goods then ONLY the centre has the power to grant the license.
Validity Period of License under State Government and Central Government License
It is a crucial aspect to know that the validity period under the state licenses of legal metrology is limited wherein the validity period of
