Prevention of Weighbridge frauds

[Perfection]

Weighbridge

A weighbridge has a platform mounted on a concrete foundation for weighing a vehicle. At the bottom work - beneath the platform - levers (mechanical)/load cells (electronic) are used for sensing the load placed. By weighing the vehicle both loaded (Gross weight) and empty (Tare weight), the load carried by the vehicle (Net weight) can be found.

In mechanical weighbridge, the load receptor (platform) will be fully supported on an arrangement of levers. The display will be steel yard type/analogue Dial type.

In electronic weighbridge, the load receptor (platform) will be fully supported on load cells. A load cell is a transducer, which converts gravitational force to electrical signals. This analog signal will be converted to digital and be displayed digitally.

The different types of weighbridges are mechanical (Dial type), electronic (pit type), rail weighbridge, portable weighbridge (one scale unit for each wheel of the vehicle) etc.



The capacity (Max.) of the weighbridge can be 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 120, 150 ton

Uses

Weighbridges are used by industries for the bulk movement/selling of goods, such as mines/quarries.
To check whether a vehicle is loaded beyond its permitted load capacity.
To levy tax based on the weight of the commodity at inter state check posts.



When goods are transported/delivered, it should accompany with a invoice/delivery note/weighbridge ticket. A weighing ticket
should contain

1. Date & Time of weighing
2. Vehicle No.
3. Nature of load
4 Gross weight, Tare weight, Net weight

[Perfection]

1. The weighbridge operator should always have a clear view of the platform/plate. Check always the balance/Zero during no load. The vehicle should be placed properly on the plate. It is advisable to weigh vehicles without passengers/driver.



2. Operators should not enter the tare weight stated by the driver on the weighbridge ticket. The operator has to put cross mark on the Tare weight column, if the weighment is not made. Weighbridge operator should keep the duplicate of weighing ticket for 2 years. The software can store 20000 data records in computer.

3. When using an electronic head work with ticket printer, the information is fully or partly transferred to the ticket. Data can be inputted to the computer system and excess weight is recorded in the Weighing ticket. This can lead frauds in weighbridge weighing.

4. Weighbridges having capacity 10 t and above have to keep 1000 kg stamped weights to check the accuracy of the weighbridge when in doubt - Kerala Legal Metrology (Enf.) rules, 2012.

[Perfection]

1. There had also been cases when no weighing at all had taken place, although a ticket had been issued.

2. The weight of the loaded truck is increased and the unloaded truck is reduced in order to commit frauds. A full tank Diesel can be drained to reduce the Tare weight. The extra sideboards and spare wheels had been included in the Gross weight. These will be unloaded/removed and the tare Weight of the lorry is taken in another weighbridge in order to increase the net weight.

3. Adulteration can be done - mix petrol with kerosene/replacing costly goods with cheap ones, A vendor removes 100 kg from a consignment of 10 ton cotton and make it wet. The load is weighed during delivery at the buyer's own weighbridge.

[Perfection]

Some of the lorry owners in connivance of weighbridge owners were deliberately using fraudulent practices while selling building materials. In the wake of increasing frauds, consumers have to verify the weight before making payments.

One may cross check the weight in another nearby weighbridge.

Eg : Weighing sand when it is made wet.

[Perfection]

1. Doing a fraud in connection with weighing instrument is punishable under Legal Metrology Act, 2009 with fine up to Rs 50000.

2. Giving a weighing ticket with false weight is punishable under Kerala Legal Metrology (Enf.) rules, 2012.