Power to Inspect, etc

Section 20 of the Goa Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1968 deals with power to Inspect, etc. An Inspector may, within the area under his jurisdiction, inspect at all reasonable times, the weights, measures and weighing and measuring instruments which are used in transactions for trade or commerce or are in the possession of any person or are on any premises for such use and may verify every

(1) An Inspector may, within the area under his jurisdiction, inspect at all reasonable times, the weights, measures and weighing and measuring instruments which are used in transactions for trade or commerce or are in the possession of any person or are on any premises for such use and may verify every such weight or measure or weighing or measuring instrument with a working standard or weighing or measuring instrument prescribed for the purpose.

(2) For the purpose of verifying the correctness of any weight or measure used in any transaction, an Inspector may also verify the weight or measure of any article sold or delivered in the course of the transaction.

(3) An Inspector may, at all reasonable times, require any trader or any employee or agent of a trader to produce before him for inspection or verification all weights, measures, weighing and measuring instruments which are used by him or are in his possession or are kept on any premises used for trade and all documents and records relating thereto and such trader, employee or agent shall comply with such requirements.

(4) An Inspector may seize and detain any weight or measure or weighing or measuring instrument regarding which an offence under this Act appears to have been committed or which appears to have been or which might be used in the commission of such an offence, and may also seize and detain any articles sold or delivered or caused to be sold or delivered by means of such weight or measure or weighing or measuring instrument together with any documents or records relating thereto.

(5) Where an Inspector has reasons to believe that a sealed package or container does not actually contain the net weight or measure of the article which it purports to contain, he may break open the sealed package or container and verify its contents; and if, on such verification, the net weight or measure of the article is found to be correct, he shall reseal the package or container where it is possible so to do and attach a certificate thereto stating the correct weight or measure of the article, but if, on the other hand the net weight or measure of the article it found to be incorrect, he may seize and detain the package or container and the article contained therein.

(6) For the purpose of such inspection, an Inspector may, at all reasonable time, enter into any place where weights, measures, or weighing or measuring instruments are used or kept for use in transactions for trade or commerce and inspect such weights and measures and weighing and measuring instruments.

Explanation :- Where any premises is partly used for trade and partly for dwelling purpose, the whole of such premises shall, for the purpose of this sub-section, be treated as a place where weights or measures or weighing or measuring instruments are used or are kept for use in transactions for trade or commerce.

Section 20, The Goa Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1968 (Act 9 of 1968).