Deputy Controller of Legal Metrology, B. Manohar, urged consumers to be careful when buying gold. This comes as gold prices have gone very high. He told The Hindu on January 1 that shops must use only electronic weighing machines. These devices can only differ by one milligram while weighing gold. He also advised buyers to ask sellers to exclude the weight of precious stones since their value is less than gold. Manohar said the department regularly inspects gold shops, petrol stations, and fertilizer outlets. From April to November, 1612 cases were registered against traders. The department collected ₹68.6 lakh as compounding fees from them. Assistant Controller P.V. Ranga Reddy and other officials were asked to increase inspections in all parts of Vizianagaram district. This step aims to ensure that traders follow all rules and regulations strictly.