Chapter V - Offences and Penalties
Section 30
Section 30: Penalty for transactions contrary to standard quantity
Section 30 names four forms of quantity mismatch: short delivery on a sale, short service rendered, fraudulent excess received on purchase and excess service obtained. The 2026 amendment creates a separate second-offence fine tier.
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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
Whoever— (a) in selling any article or thing by weight, measure or number, delivers or causes to be delivered to the purchaser any quantity or number of that article or thing less than the quantity or number contracted for or paid for; or (b) in rendering any service by weight, measure or number, renders that service less than the service contracted for or paid for; or (c) in buying any article or thing by weight, measure or number, fraudulently receives, or causes to be received any quantity or number of that article or thing in excess of the quantity or number contracted for or paid for; or (d) in obtaining any service by weight, measure or number, obtains that service in excess of the service contracted for or paid for, shall be punished with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, and, for the second offence with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees and for the third or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Introduction
The purchase-side clause expressly uses 'fraudulently'; do not omit that element when explaining it. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Key takeaways
Core rule
Section 30 names four forms of quantity mismatch: short delivery on a sale, short service rendered, fraudulent excess received on purchase and excess service obtained. The 2026 amendment creates a separate second-offence fine tier.
Operational check
Match the contracted and paid quantity or service with the measured delivery or receipt.
Important limit
The purchase-side clause expressly uses 'fraudulently'; do not omit that element when explaining it. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
When this section applies
Section 30 names four forms of quantity mismatch: short delivery on a sale, short service rendered, fraudulent excess received on purchase and excess service obtained. The 2026 amendment creates a separate second-offence fine tier.
Practical steps and records
Compare the contracted or paid measure with delivery, receipt or service; the four limbs have different actors and elements.
- Match the contracted and paid quantity or service with the measured delivery or receipt.
- Retain measurement slips, calibration records, contracts and delivery acknowledgments; check whether the purchase-side excess was fraudulent.
- Correct the transaction and measure root cause separately from any enforcement response.
Offence tiers and response
Enacted sequence: first offence—fine up to ten thousand rupees; second—fine up to twenty thousand rupees; third or later—the retained imprisonment-or-fine clause. No first-notice substitution was made here.
The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Hypothetical example
Hypothetical: A supplier invoices 100 kg but its delivery slip and verified scale show 96 kg delivered. The short-delivery limb is examined using the contract and measurement evidence.
How to read it with related law
The purchase-side clause expressly uses 'fraudulently'; do not omit that element when explaining it. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Primary sources
Read the original central Act with the enacted and commenced amendments listed here. Rules made under the Act and State enforcement rules supply details where the provision says 'prescribed'.
Practical checklist
Do
- Match the contracted and paid quantity or service with the measured delivery or receipt.
- Retain measurement slips, calibration records, contracts and delivery acknowledgments; check whether the purchase-side excess was fraudulent.
- Correct the transaction and measure root cause separately from any enforcement response.
Avoid
- Do not treat every measured variance as a proved offence without checking the relevant sale, service or purchase limb.
- Do not omit the word 'fraudulently' from the excess-receipt purchase limb.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical application of section 30
A supplier invoices 100 kg but its delivery slip and verified scale show 96 kg delivered. The short-delivery limb is examined using the contract and measurement evidence.
Identify the duty
Section 30 names four forms of quantity mismatch: short delivery on a sale, short service rendered, fraudulent excess received on purchase and excess service obtained. The 2026 amendment creates a separate second-offence fine tier.
Check the evidence
Retain measurement slips, calibration records, contracts and delivery acknowledgments; check whether the purchase-side excess was fraudulent.
Resolve the issue
Correct the transaction and measure root cause separately from any enforcement response.
Outcome
- The purchase-side clause expressly uses 'fraudulently'; do not omit that element when explaining it. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Glossary
- Transaction
- A contract or assessment of dues, work, wages or services within the section 2 definition.
- Prescribed
- Specified in rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Does this section only concern sellers?
No. It also addresses specified excess receipt or service obtained by a buyer or customer.
How does the provision treat a service shortfall?
Clause (b) addresses rendering by weight, measure or number less service than contracted for or paid for.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026