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What Is Government Stamping And Why Is It So Important?

Before we even address the topic of Government Stamping, we need to understand how important the weighing scale is, to maintain HONESTY in the system.

Say if you go to a Local Kirana store and ask for a 1 Kg of Dal. The shopkeeper needs to be sure that he is giving you at most 1 kg of dal if not less. On the other hand, you have to be sure that you are receiving 1 kg of Dal and not less. Now how will you tell that the dal is 1 kg exactly so that it’s not a loss for either of the parties? It is through a Weighing Scale (preferably an HSCo Branded one). So, the scale really ensures that the shopkeeper stays honest, and the customer is given what he/she paid for.

Now let’s assume that,

The weighing scale is not accurate. In this case, it would either show the weight more than the actual weight (in which case the shopkeeper is benefiting) or shows less weight (in which case the customer is benefitting). Hence there is DISHONESTY in the system because the other person is not getting the full value of the transaction.

Here is where the Government comes in place – The Legal Metrology Department

What the Government does is, checks the weighing scale and if it is proper it would seal the scale. So if the scale has a Government stamping seal, you can be sure that the scale is not tampered with. Moreover, the government also issues a certificate of authenticity with the details of the scale and the Legal Metrology Inspector who has verified the scale and in whose presence the scale has been stamped.

So let’s say,

A manufacturer like Hindustan Scale Company (HSCo) had made a weighing scale and it has passed all its rigorous internal testing. Once the scale is verified by the QC team, a government challan is filling out at the cost of the government stamping the scale.

A local inspector is assigned the task of verifying the weighing scale’s genuineness. The inspector would come to the factory, check the weighing scales and if the performance of the weighing scale is found to be satisfactory, it would issue a certificate in the name of HSCo saying that the scale is now fit to be used by the public and also put his seal on the weighing scale so it cannot be tampered with.

This is true for the Electronic and Mechanical scale. So if the scale is certified by the Legal Metrology Department (Government Stamping), then you can be sure that the scale is showing you the correct weight.

Now when Hindustan Scale Co – HSCo is selling an electronic scale to the local Kirana owner, Three things would be given. The scale Itself, the Invoice, and the ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE. The Government also mandates all shopkeepers to display the certificate wherever the scale is using.

How to read a certificate given by the Department of Legal Metrology.

The legal Metrology Department has two types of certificates. One is for the Digital Weighing scale that is individual for each scale. So it would have a serial number, other details, etc of a SINGLE WEIGHING SCALE. On the other hand, the certificate for mechanical scale is in a lot. Example Hindustan Scale Company – HSCo has manufactured 100 pieces of 20 kg Weights. So HSCo will not be issued 100 certificates. Only one certificate with a quantity of 100 pieces of 20 kg weight would be an issue. The below Certificates would make it clear

government

Electronic Scale that we manufacture for 300 kgs.

  1. The barcode that identifies the certificate
  2. Serial No: The serial number of the Certificate. This one will be carried forward in your next certificate once you Restamp your scale at the end of the Renewal cycle.
  3. Date: Date of issue of this certificate.
  4. Place: Place of stamping. This would be either the inspector’s office or the Manufacturer’s premises as mentioned in the Pt 5
  5. Manufacturer’s Name and Address.
  6. Inspector’s Name: The inspector who has verified the scale and putting his/her seal on the scale
  7. Receipt No: This is the receipt for the amount that the Manufacturer deposits in the Government Treasury
  8. GRN Number: This is the GRN number when the manufacturer fills the verification fees of the Scales online

Details of the Weighing Scale that is being verified:

  • The maximum capacity of the weighing scale. In this scale, we have verified a 100/200/300 kg scale.
  • Make: Hindustan Scale – This is our own manufacture.
  • Serial Number: THE SAME NUMBER MUST APPEAR ON THE SCALE STAMPING PLATE. IF THE NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH DO NOT BUY THE SCALE FROM THE DEALER OR VENDOR.
  • Class: This is a 3rd class scale which means that is a medium accuracy scale. 2nd class scales are high accuracy scales in Jewellery and bullion industry. 1st class scales for ultra-high precision like diamonds and life-saving drugs. There are also class 4th scales that are low accuracy scales for coal, hay, etc.
  • This indicates that this certificate is valid for how many pieces. In this case, the certificate is valid for one (1) piece
  • This is the cost of stamping of the scale. In this case, it is 400/-

Remaining Details of Government Stamping Certificate

  1. This is the total fee that Hindustan Scale has paid for this scale.
  2. Date before which the renewal has to be done: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DATE. IF THE SCALE DOES NOT RENEW PRIOR TO THIS DATE, YOU ARE LIABLE FOR UPTO A FINE OF 25,000/- OR MORE. For Electronic Scales, It is one year.
  3. This certificate can be used by the manufacture. In this case, it is Hindustan Scale Company
  4. This is the digital signature of the verification inspector along with her division

MECHANICAL CERTIFICATE

Absolutely all the points are same as in the case of electronic certificate. The only differences are that in a mechanical scale certificate

  • In the point 9a and 9e there was only one scale. Here there are a lot of weights, one piece of 100 gm, 5 pieces of 20 kg CI Weight, etc. Accordingly, mechanical scales are correct and the certificate is issue in batches.
  • Look at the Due Date: In this case when you compare the date of stamping and the date of restamping, the difference is two years. Hence always look at the due date to Restamp the scale.
  • You see, there is an additional charge of 185/- This is the on premise fees. That because the inspector has come to our premises and stamped the weights and hence taken an additional charge of 50% extra to cover his time and travel expenses. So don’t be suspicious if there is an extra line in the expenses.

How often should the weighing scale be calibrated?

The answer to this question depends heavily upon the type and class of weighing scale that you are using.

If you have a high precision scale of Class I or Class II, then you should do the calibration every morning after you initiate the scale for the first time in the day. This is because, during the night, there would be temperature fluctuations that would affect the sensors on a minute level. Because the scale is a high accuracy scale used for Diamonds, research, gold, or silver, you would not want to take the risk of improper measurements, even if it is extremely minor. Hence keep an E1 or F1 weight handy

If you have a Class III scale, once a month or three months it’s better to check the weight, and if it’s not showing the right weight get it calibrated.

Class IV scales – Once every six months is ok and if the weight is not right, then get it calibrated.

Government Calibration is mandatory every year for electronic Scales and once every two years for certain types of Mechanical scales.

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