REPORTING RAINFALL IN INCHES AND TANK GAUGES IN FEET - VIOLATION OF LAW

 

When we read newspapers, we see the rainfall figures in inches and tank gauges in feet. This is against the law and a punishable act.

Our country has adopted metric system long back (On first October, 1958 with a grace period of 5 years) according to which rainfall and tank gauge figures should be in milimeters or centimeters or meters. Use of duel units or FPS (foot-pound system) units involving inches and feet was permissible for the grace period of five years, which has already passed long back.(1963)

As per para 4(1) & (2) of Chaper -1, Part -2 ofWeights and Measures Act 1958, (as amended in 1976) there is a provision of a fine up to Rs. 2000/- or/and  imprisonment upto six months for using non metric units. If this offence is repeated, the imprisonment may exeec to one year.

Such situation is in our area only because the Water Resources Department has not modified the gauges painted on the dams and rivers to metric system.

We should therefore request the Water Resources Department for modifying the gauges and the media should also make this an issue.