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OdishaGovt.and BIS join hands to strengthen Quality Assurance and Standardisation across various sectors in the State of Odisha
Focus on Strengthening Quality Assurance, Testing Infrastructure and Wider Adoption of BIS Standards in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, 11 /08/2026 ( Odisha Samachar/Rajat Mohapatra )- The 3rd Meeting of the State Level Committee (SLC) on Standardization was held today at LokSeva Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Smt.Anu Garg, IAS, Chief Secretary, Odisha. The meeting reviewed key initiatives for strengthening standardization, quality assurance and consumer protection in the State.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretaries to Govt. of Odisha, Sri Deoranjan Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary of FS&CW Department, Odisha, Principal Secretary of C&T Department, Odishaand CCS of A&FE Department,Odisha, senior officers of various Departments of the Government of Odishaand Managing Directors of various organisations.
Shri A. K. Purohit, Senior Director & Head, BIS Bhubaneswar, made a presentation highlighting the key initiatives and areas of collaboration for strengthening standardization and quality in Odisha. Shri A. Chatterjee from BIS Laboratory, Kolkata, also highlighted the BIS Laboratory Assistance Scheme for augmentation and upgradation of testing facilities in State Government laboratories and Common Facility Centres.
The Committee directed capacity-building programmes on Indian Standards for official sofkey departments including PWD, PHE, WATCO, DISCOM, Agriculture, Health & Family Welfare, Labour & Employment, Urban Development, Water Resources and WCD, in consultation with BIS. Special sessions on Standardization were also suggested for PWD Engineers and Junior Engineers, with similar programmes to be extended to Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments.
TheCommittee advise dinclusion of Standardization and Quality Eco system in administrative training programmes and directed the FS&CW Department to take up the matter with the concerned academy.
Emphasizing quality in public procurement, departments were advised to refer to applicable Indian Standards, download them from the BIS website and take immediate steps for implementation. The Committee also advised exploring API-based integration of State Government departmental portals with the BIS website for seamless access to Indian Standards and related information.
For consumer empowerment, the Committee directed wider promotion of the BISCARE App, which enable sverification of HUID and ISI marks, access to standards,identification of testing laboratories and lodging of complaints against sub-standard products and services. Prominent display of information regarding the BIS Care app at jewellery shops was also advised.
For ensuring safe and reliable piped drinking water, the Committee decided that WATCO and Rural Water Supply & Sanitation may implement BIS Standard IS 17482:2020 on Piped Drinking Water Management as a pilot project and undertake certification. On lift safety,the Committee stressed the need for appropriate rules and regulations in Odisha to ensure compliance with Indian Standards.
The Committee supported establishment of a state-of-the-art BIS Office and Laboratory Complex in Odisha. The laboratory establishment process is to be taken up on priority, with the Office and Laboratory planned as an integrated complex. In view of Odisha’s major steel and aluminum industries, BIS was specifically directed to prioritize a state-of-the-art laboratory for testing Gold, Silver, Steel and Aluminum.
The Committee stressed the need to strengthen Standards Clubs in educational institutions and formally recognize BIS activities in such Clubs and exposure visits.The Committee also discussed the BIS Laboratory Assistance Scheme for augmentation and upgradation of testing facilities in State Government laboratories and Common Facility Centres.The Committee also noted BIS support to MSMEs through an 80% rebate in fees, along with complete relaxation of the requirement for an in-house testing facility.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that standardisation is fundamental to ensuring quality, safety, reliability and efficiency in products and services, providing a common benchmark particularly for public procurement, infrastructure and essential services. She stressed the need to create greater awareness among government officials, industry, service providers and consumers about Indian Standards and their practical application, along with stronger coordination between BIS and State Government departments for their effective adoption.
She also stressed the need to strengthen IEC activities on standardisation to build a wider quality-conscious ecosystem in the State. Emphasizing the importance of adequate BIS institutional and testing infrastructure in Odisha, she observed that modern testing facilities would support the State’s growing industrial, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, facilitate faster testing, certification and quality assurance, and reduce dependence on laboratories outside the State.
The Chief Secretary also directed that the SLC should meet at least twice a year to review progress and deliberate on key issues relating to standardisation and quality in Odisha.
