Chapter III - Appointment and Powers of Director, Controller and Legal Metrology Officers
Section 14
Section 14: Appointment of Controller, legal metrology officers and other employees
Section 14 provides for State appointments and notified local limits for intra-State trade and commerce. The officers work under the Controller’s general superintendence, direction and control.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The State Government may, by notification, appoint a Controller of legal metrology, Additional Controller, Joint Controller, Deputy Controller, Assistant Controller, Inspector and other employees for the State for exercising the powers and discharging the duties conferred or imposed on them by or under this Act in relation to intra State trade and commerce.
(2) The qualifications of the Controller and legal metrology officers appointed under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The Controller and every legal metrology officer, appointed under sub-section (1), shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions in respect of such local limits as the State Government may, by notification, specify.
(4) Every legal metrology officer appointed under sub-section (1) shall exercise and discharge the duties under the general superintendence, direction and control of the Controller.
Introduction
State Governments may appoint Controllers and legal-metrology officers for intra-State trade and commerce. Notifications identify their local limits and the Controller supervises State officers.
Contrast section 13 central appointments and delegation; section 15 lists the inspection and seizure powers.
Key takeaways
Scope and trigger
State Governments may appoint Controllers and legal-metrology officers for intra-State trade and commerce. Notifications identify their local limits and the Controller supervises State officers.
Operational step
For each site, identify the State notification and the officer’s territorial jurisdiction. Use the local State enforcement rules for procedural details while applying the central Act duty.
Limit
A State appointment under section 14 should not be assumed to confer a central inter-State power without the section 13 delegation route. Local practice also cannot rewrite the central Act.
Who and what it covers
State Governments may appoint Controllers and legal-metrology officers for intra-State trade and commerce. Notifications identify their local limits and the Controller supervises State officers.
Contrast section 13 central appointments and delegation; section 15 lists the inspection and seizure powers.
How to apply it
For each site, identify the State notification and the officer’s territorial jurisdiction. Use the local State enforcement rules for procedural details while applying the central Act duty.
Identify the relevant State appointment and territorial notification when dealing with local verification or enforcement. Separate the central Act power from State enforcement rules.
Boundary and exceptions
A State appointment under section 14 should not be assumed to confer a central inter-State power without the section 13 delegation route. Local practice also cannot rewrite the central Act.
Hypothetical example
Hypothetical: a retailer with outlets in two States checks each State’s notified Controller and local enforcement procedure for its intra-State operations.
Practical preparation
Identify the relevant State appointment and territorial notification when dealing with local verification or enforcement. Separate the central Act power from State enforcement rules.
Primary sources
The statutory text is drawn from the official Act copy.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the State where the intra-State activity occurs.
- Confirm the State notification appointing the Controller or officer and local limits.
- Apply that State’s enforcement rules to local procedure while retaining the central Act text.
Avoid
- Do not treat section 14 as dispensing with its stated conditions, exceptions or prescribed details.
Glossary
- Intra-State trade
- Trade and commerce within a State, addressed by the State appointments in section 14.
- Prescribed
- Set by rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Does this section create one nationwide State Controller?
No. Each State Government may appoint officers for its State under section 14.
Who supervises officers appointed under section 14?
They exercise duties under the Controller’s general superintendence, direction and control.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026