Govt Drafts Rules for Moisture Meters in Agricultural Trade

New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, held a significant meeting with stakeholders to review and discuss the draft rules for moisture meters used in measuring moisture levels in cereal grains and oilseeds. The meeting, chaired by Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, aimed to finalize the specifications and regulations for these essential agricultural instruments.

The proposed amendment focuses on incorporating specific standards for moisture meters to ensure accuracy in measuring moisture levels in cereal grains and oilseeds. The draft rules outline the metrological and technical requirements, test methods, and maximum permissible errors for type approval of these meters, which are crucial for commercial transactions involving these commodities.

Moisture meters play a pivotal role in agriculture by providing accurate readings of moisture content. This information is vital for determining the quality and suitability of storage for cereal grains and oilseeds. Proper moisture measurement helps farmers and traders prevent spoilage, maintain optimal storage conditions, and ensure fair trade practices.

The meeting saw participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including manufacturers, users, scientific institutions, laboratories, State Government Legal Metrology Departments, and voluntary consumer organizations (VCOs). This broad representation underscored the importance of the new rules in promoting fairness and transparency in agricultural trade.

The draft rules were made available for public feedback on May 30, 2024, with a deadline for comments by the end of June 2024. The meeting was convened to review these comments in detail and to discuss the proposed changes with all interested parties. The consensus among stakeholders was supportive of the amendment, highlighting the need for accurate and regulated moisture measurement to benefit farmers and other participants in the agriculture sector.

In addition to the moisture meters, the Department of Consumer Affairs is also working on regulations for other measuring instruments, including Gas Meters (PNG Meters), Energy Meters, Radar Equipment for vehicle speed measurement, and Breath Analyzers. These rules are part of a broader effort to standardize and regulate various measurement devices, ensuring their accuracy and reliability across different sectors.