1. Consumers should be aware that all weights, measures, and measuring instruments used by traders in transactions and for protection must be periodically verified and stamped by the Legal Metrology Officer, as required by the Legal Metrology Act and Rules. This ensures accuracy and fairness in trade.

2. To prevent hand manipulation, traders should use a beam scale that is suspended from a hook or a stand.

3. In Kerala, several traditional units of measurement were commonly used in the past but are now considered outdated and not legally recognized under the Legal Metrology Act. Here are some of them:

 

Weight Measurements Weight Measurements
  • Tola(തുലാം)–Approx.11.66grams
  • Masha(മശാം)–0.97grams
  • Puthen(പുതൻ)–10.8grams
  • Seer(സീർ)–Roughly933grams
  • Adakku(അടക്ക്)–16.6 grams
  • Kol(കോൽ)–Approx.0.72meters
  • Mozham(മുഴാം)–Approx.0.67meters(variedregionally)
  • Kayyal(കയ്യൽ)–Equivalenttoaspan
  • (distancebetweenthethumbandlittle finger spread out)
  • Kadam(കടാം)–Atraditionalstride-basedmeasurement

 

Land Area Measurements Volume Measurements
  • Para(പറ)–Varies,roughly12cents
  • Muri(മുറി)–Approximately1/25thofan acre
  • Cent(സെന്റ്)–Thoughstillusedinpractice,legally,landshouldbemeasured in square meters or hectares
  • Acre(എക്കർ)–Officially replacedby hectares andsquaremeters
  • Nazhi(നSഴി)– Roughly 200ml
  • Thudam(തുടം)–Around5liters
  • Para(പറ)–Usedformeasuringgrains,around7.5kgofrice
  • Padi(പടി)–Approximately1.32kgofriceor1.5liters
  • Idangazhi(ഇടങ്ങഴി) – Roughly 2.5 litres

Modern Legally Accepted Units

Now,all measurements in Kerala follow the Metric System (kilogram, liter, meter, hectare, etc.), as per the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

4. When purchasing petrol at a petrol pump, consumers can verify the correct quantity using the 5-liter certified conical measure available at every station.

5. When purchasing any packaged commodity, consumers should ensure that the following mandatory details are clearly stated on the package:

  • Name and full address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer. For imported goods, the country of origin must be specified.
  • Commonorgenericnameofthe commodity.
  • Netquantityofthecommodity.
  • Monthandyearof manufacturing.
  • Bestbeforeoruse-bydate.
  • Maximumretailprice(MRP),inclusiveofalltaxes.
  • Unitsale price.
  • Complete consumer care details, including name, address, contact number, and email ID.
  • Productdimensions,ifapplicable.

6. Consumers should check that the original MRP written on the packageisnot smudged off, re-written or a higher price is affixed with a sticker.

7. Consumers purchasing sweets and confectionery should ensure that they receive the fullnetweightofthesweets.Theyshouldverifythattheweightofthe packaging box is not included in the total weight of the sweets.

8. Attention Consumers! No retailer or seller is allowed to charge more than theMaximum Retail Price (MRP) for any packaged product. It is your right to ensure fair pricing and dispute any overcharging.

9. Ensure that your LPG cylinders are weighed prior to delivery. The delivery vehicle or personmusthaveaverifiedweighinginstrument,andeachcylinderdisplaysitsempty (tare) weight.

Total Weight of the cylinder = Tare Weight + Net Weight of Gas.
Net Weight of Gas : 14.2kg (for domestic Cylinders)