Editor,             

I would like to highlight an issue that has increasingly affected many ordinary citizens in our town, particularly local tribal families who often engage fabrication workers for household and commercial works such as gates, railings, racks, trolleys, and roofing structures.

In many cases, customers are given rough verbal estimates or handwritten quotations without clear item-wise calculations. After completion of the work, the final bill is often increased substantially through unclear measurements, inflated material quantities, or additional charges that were never properly explained earlier.

Since many local people are not familiar with steel measurements, fabrication calculations, or bargaining practices, they frequently end up paying amounts far higher than the actual value of the work.

I personally experienced a similar situation during a recent fabrication project. The final bill submitted to me appeared significantly higher than the original estimate. Instead of relying only on verbal arguments, I decided to independently verify the actual quantity of material used.

The method adopted was simple and practical. The completed fabrication work was measured category-wise, such as: 5-inch pipe, 12 mm rod, 25 angle, 1-inch flat iron strip, 1.5 inch flat iron strip

The total running feet of each material used was calculated.

Sample pieces of one-foot length were weighed separately to determine approximate weight per foot.

The measured length was multiplied by the corresponding weight per foot to estimate the total material weight.

Finally, the agreed fabrication rate per kilogram was applied to determine a fair and transparent bill.

Importantly, these measurements were taken in the presence of the fabricator himself.

This exercise revealed a substantial difference between the original estimate, the final bill raised, and the actual quantity of material used.

I therefore wish to advise the public to adopt simple verification methods before making final payment for fabrication works. Some useful precautions are:

# Always insist on a written quotation.

# Ask for category-wise material details.

# Clarify whether the rate is per kilogram or lump-sum.

# Obtain written approval before any ‘additional work’ is carried out.

# Measure completed work before final payment.

# Wherever possible, use standard steel weight charts or weighbridge methods for accurate verification.

One of the most accurate methods is the actual weighbridge method, where unused material, scrap material, or fabricated structures are physically weighed before and after fabrication. Though this may not always be practical for small household works, it provides near-exact material consumption and prevents billing disputes.

Another worrying aspect of this issue is that, in some cases, certain fabricators allegedly take support from a few local individuals who act as informal protectors or intermediaries. Instead of helping their own communities, such practices sometimes place additional pressure on customers who question inflated bills or attempt to seek clarification. This unfortunately creates mistrust and bad blood among fellow tribals themselves, and also between tribals and non-tribals, when all communities should ideally learn to coexist peacefully in a spirit of fairness, mutual respect, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

In this regard, the district administration and the government agencies concerned can play a constructive role in preventing such disputes. Simple measures such as encouraging written quotations, standard billing formats, basic consumer awareness campaigns, and registration of fabrication workshops can greatly improve transparency and accountability.

The Legal Metrology Department, consumer affairs authorities, and local urban bodies may also consider issuing standard reference charts for common steel sections and weights to help ordinary citizens understand approximate material consumption and pricing.

Similarly, the Bazaar Welfare committee of Naharlagun, the Itanagar Market Welfare Association and the Itanagar chamber of commerce can play an important mediating role by encouraging ethical business practices, creating voluntary standard rate guidelines, promoting written agreements, and helping resolve disputes amicably before they escalate into community tensions. They can also organise public awareness programmes to educate customers on basic measurement and billing practices.

At some point in life, almost every section of society uses the services of fabrication workers – from ordinary street hawkers and small shopkeepers to journalists, businessmen, government officials, contractors, and even politicians. Therefore, this issue does not affect only one section of society; it impacts everyone in different ways.

Though at first glance it may appear to be a small local issue, it actually reflects a deeper systemic problem where unethical business practices, lack of transparency, and exploitation are silently normalised and tolerated. If such practices continue unchecked, they gradually weaken public trust, encourage dishonest dealings, and create unnecessary social tensions within society.

The purpose of raising this issue is not to target any particular community or profession, as many fabricators also work honestly and professionally. Rather, the intention is to promote transparency, fair dealing, and consumer awareness, so that ordinary citizens are not financially exploited due to lack of technical knowledge.

I hope this letter encourages greater awareness among consumers and also motivates local authorities, trade bodies, and community organisations to promote standard billing practices in fabrication works.

A concerned citizen