New Delhi, 24 May (H.S.): The Central Government has taken a major step to strengthen the inspection and re-verification system for petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG, and hydrogen dispensers (fuel dispensing units) by bringing them under the ambit of the Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) framework. The move is aimed at enhancing accuracy, transparency, and reliability in fuel measurement systems across the country.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has issued a notification amending the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013. Under the revised provisions, the inspection and re-verification of petrol and diesel dispensers, as well as CNG, LPG, LNG, and hydrogen dispensers, can now be carried out through GATCs. With this amendment, the total number of categories of devices eligible for verification under the GATC framework has increased to 23.

The government stated that the use of clean fuels has been steadily rising across India. In this context, the inclusion of CNG, LNG, and hydrogen dispensers within the verification framework will help ensure greater precision in fuel delivery while offering more transparent services to consumers. The measure is also expected to strengthen the country’s clean-fuel infrastructure.

According to the ministry, Government Approved Test Centres are institutions equipped with the necessary technical expertise and infrastructure to inspect and re-verify weights and measures instruments. The participation of private laboratories and industries in the verification process is expected to significantly enhance the country’s testing capacity and improve accessibility to such services.

Under the amended rules, state governments have also been empowered to notify additional categories of weights and measures instruments under the GATC system. Furthermore, officials holding the rank of Joint Secretary and above have been granted authority in matters related to approvals under the rules, with the objective of expediting administrative processes.

The government has fixed the verification fee for petrol and diesel dispensers at ₹5,000 per nozzle. Meanwhile, the verification fee for CNG, LPG, LNG, and hydrogen dispensers has been set at ₹10,000 per nozzle.

The ministry said the reforms would enable State Legal Metrology Departments to focus more effectively on inspection, enforcement, and consumer grievance redressal. The initiative is considered a significant step toward strengthening technology-driven governance, promoting commercial transparency, and advancing the vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), while also aligning India’s metrology system with international standards.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar