Thu Jan 01 11:15:42 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
On January 1, 2026, the Deputy Controller of Legal Metrology in Vizianagaram, B. Manohar, advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing gold due to rising prices. He emphasized the requirement for shops to use accurate electronic weighing machines and to exclude the weight of precious stones from the gold’s total weight. The Legal Metrology Department regularly conducts inspections of various businesses, including gold shops, and has booked over 1600 cases and collected significant fines from traders in the past year.
News Article:
Vizianagaram Official Urges Gold Buyers to Be Vigilant Amidst Price Surge
VIZIANAGARAM, India – January 1, 2026 – With gold prices soaring, consumers are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing the precious metal. B. Manohar, the Deputy Controller of Legal Metrology in Vizianagaram, issued a warning today, advising buyers to be aware of their rights and to ensure fair weighing practices.
Manohar emphasized that all gold shops are required to use electronic weighing machines with a maximum deviation of just one milligram. He also reminded consumers that the weight of any precious stones embedded in the gold should be excluded from the overall weight used to calculate the price. “The cost of these stones is significantly less than gold, and customers should insist on only paying for the gold itself,” Manohar stated.
The Legal Metrology Department has been actively conducting inspections of businesses throughout Vizianagaram, including gold shops, petrol bunks, and fertilizer stores. Between April and November of last year, the department booked 1612 cases and collected ₹68.6 lakh in compounding fees from traders found to be in violation of regulations.
Assistant Controller P.V. Ranga Reddy and other officials have been instructed to intensify inspection efforts across the district to ensure that all businesses are adhering to the established rules and regulations designed to protect consumers.