Chapter V - Offences and Penalties
Section 54
Section 54: delegation of Powers.
Central powers may be delegated by notification subject to exclusions and conditions. An officer’s authority should be checked against the relevant notification.
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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 Central Government may, in consultation with the State Government and by notification, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act or any rule made thereunder, not being a power conferred by section 50 relating to appeal or section 52 relating to power to make rules, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions as may be specified, may be exercised also by such officer subordinate to it as may be specified in the notification.
(2) Subject to any general or special direction or condition imposed by the State Government, any person authorised by the Central Government to exercise any powers may exercise those powers in the same manner and to the same extent as if they had been conferred on that person directly by this Act and not by way of delegation.
Introduction
The Centre may delegate specified powers by notification after consultation with the State Government. Appeal powers under section 50 and rulemaking under section 52 are expressly excluded.
An officer’s title alone does not establish delegated authority. Check the actual notification, power, conditions and date before treating a decision as validly delegated.
Key takeaways
Trigger
The Centre may delegate specified powers by notification after consultation with the State Government. Appeal powers under section 50 and rulemaking under section 52 are expressly excluded.
Consequence or process
The notified subordinate officer may exercise only the powers and within the matters and conditions specified. Subsection (2) subjects exercise to State Government directions or conditions.
Important limit
An officer’s title alone does not establish delegated authority. Check the actual notification, power, conditions and date before treating a decision as validly delegated.
Who and what the section covers
The Centre may delegate specified powers by notification after consultation with the State Government. Appeal powers under section 50 and rulemaking under section 52 are expressly excluded.
Consequence and statutory process
The notified subordinate officer may exercise only the powers and within the matters and conditions specified. Subsection (2) subjects exercise to State Government directions or conditions.
Practical steps
Identify which statutory power was exercised.
Check the notification, conditions and geographic scope.
Record any issue through the available review channel.
Hypothetical example
A company receiving a direction asks for the notification showing the officer’s delegated power. This is an illustration, not a statement of a decided case or an automatic exemption.
Cross references and limits
An officer’s title alone does not establish delegated authority. Check the actual notification, power, conditions and date before treating a decision as validly delegated.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify which statutory power was exercised.
- Check the notification, conditions and geographic scope.
- Record any issue through the available review channel.
Avoid
- Do not infer delegated authority from an officer’s designation alone.
- Do not delegate the section 50 appeal or section 52 rulemaking powers through this provision.
- Do not ignore limits, conditions or dates in the actual delegation notification.
Glossary
- Delegation notification
- A published instrument specifying which Central power a subordinate officer may exercise and on what conditions.
- Prescribed
- Set by applicable rules made under the Act.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers section 54?
The Centre may delegate specified powers by notification after consultation with the State Government. Appeal powers under section 50 and rulemaking under section 52 are expressly excluded.
What is the statutory consequence or process?
The notified subordinate officer may exercise only the powers and within the matters and conditions specified. Subsection (2) subjects exercise to State Government directions or conditions.
What is the key limit to check?
An officer’s title alone does not establish delegated authority. Check the actual notification, power, conditions and date before treating a decision as validly delegated.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026