Gandhinagar, Jan 4 (NationPress) In an initiative aimed at safeguarding consumer rights and promoting transparency in commerce, Gujarat's Legal Metrology Department executed a comprehensive surprise inspection across approximately 370 gold and silver retail outlets and jewellery stores on January 2 and 3. This extensive operation resulted in 253 prosecution cases being filed across 25 districts, along with an immediate recovery of Rs 6.79 lakh in compounding fees, as reported by officials.

The special enforcement action was conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with significant involvement from Consumer Affairs Minister Raman Solanki and Minister of State P. C. Baranda.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to protect consumers, eliminate unfair trade practices, and ensure precise weights and measures.

According to the Legal Metrology Department, inspections spanned various locations including Ahmedabad, Bharuch–Narmada, Junagadh–Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar–Botad, Surat, and other regions such as Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Patan, Chhota Udepur, Tapi, Valsad, Dang, Navsari, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Porbandar, Amreli, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Surendranagar, Mehsana, Banaskantha–Palanpur, Sabarkantha–Himmatnagar, Aravalli–Modasa, Rajkot, and Morbi.

Among these, Ahmedabad saw the most enforcement actions, with 22 cases logged following inspections of 61 establishments.

Next was Bharuch–Narmada with 25 cases from 27 units, followed by Junagadh–Gir Somnath (20 cases from 21 units), Bhavnagar–Botad (17 cases from 20 units), and Surat (14 cases from 20 units). Violations included the use of unverified or unstamped weighing instruments, short-weight deliveries, and the failure to execute mandatory verification and stamping, among others.

All compounding fees were collected on-site using e-POS, UPI-based digital payments, and cheques, as confirmed by the department. This jewellery sector operation is part of a larger enforcement strategy, where the Legal Metrology Department has recouped over Rs 18.77 lakh in compounding fees over the past year from various trading categories for different violations. For example, inspections during Diwali 2025 across 332 sweet, farsan, dry-fruit, and gift shops led to 126 cases and Rs 5.91 lakh in penalties.

In July 2025, checks at 276 petrol and diesel stations resulted in 19 cases and Rs 69,500 in compounding fees. A drive in May 2025 targeted fertiliser, seed, pesticide, and farm equipment sellers, covering 397 vendors and resulting in 210 cases and Rs 5.84 lakh recovered. That same month, inspections at 38 FCI and CWC godowns led to three cases and Rs 14,000 in penalties. Additionally, a campaign in February 2025 targeting 419 highway hotels resulted in 169 cases and Rs 6.18 lakh in recoveries.

Officials emphasized that continuous enforcement and consumer awareness campaigns will proceed throughout the state to guarantee fair trade practices and protect the rights of consumers.