: Another major reform has been brought in by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in Legal Metrology by notifying the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Metrology Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) Rules, 2026. These rules are aimed at promoting Ease of Doing Business in J&K.

Government of Jammu & Kashmir introduced a landmark reform by notifying the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2026. Government Approved Test Centres (GATC) are private entities who will be authorized by the Department to verify 12 specified categories of weights and measures. The verification fee for each of these categories of weights and measures is prescribed under the said rules.

Procedure for establishment of GATCs and qualification for being eligible to establish a GATC are also provided in these rules. GATCs and the UT Government will share the revenue @ 80 : 20 basis. GATCs are aimed at enhancing the outreach of the Department to cover untapped weights and measures and provide traders an option of private laboratories for getting the specified weights and measures verified from them.

These reforms build upon the recently launched initiatives including the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, increasing periodicity for re-verification of specified weights and measures through amendments in the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, business de-regulation in certain key areas and online service delivery mechanism through J&K Single Window System.

Pertinently, these measures address the key issues which have been pending from years. A strong legal foundation is expected to help the Department in enforcing the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the rules made there under in a fare and fearless manner thereby gaining trust of both business community as well as the consumers.