The Haryana government has announced plans to establish a Standardization Cell within government departments involved in major construction and procurement activities. The purpose of this cell is to improve and monitor the quality of goods used and procured in the state. It will serve as a coordination platform between the state government, industries, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regarding standardization activities.
During a State Level Committee meeting on Monitoring Standardization and Quality Systems held in Chandigarh, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal emphasized the active participation of departments in training programs organized by BIS at the nodal officer level. He also stressed the importance of government departments procuring BIS certified products and services. The objective is to create a robust quality ecosystem in the state, encompassing various activities.
To facilitate the standardization process and tender specifications, it was proposed that a BIS officer be nominated as a nodal officer in the Directorate of Supplies and Disposal. This officer would be responsible for vetting tender documents and providing guidance on standardization matters.
The committee also discussed the capacity building of state government officials in areas such as standards formulation, promotion, conformity assessment, and consumer outreach. Chief Secretary Kaushal highlighted the need for government departments, corporations, building agencies, and builders in licensed colonies to ensure the use of quality standard products like cement, steel, and other construction materials.
During the meeting, the committee extensively deliberated on various schemes implemented by BIS. These schemes included the standards for piped drinking water supply management system, ready mix concrete process certification, management systems certification, hallmarking, conformity assessment for milk and milk products, and the strategy for implementing quality control orders issued by the Central Government.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Haryana Branch Office of the Bureau of Indian Standards, as well as officials from the Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, the Transport Commissioner, the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposal, the Additional Director of Agriculture, the MSME Director, the Department of Commerce & Industries Director, the Engineer in Chiefs of the PWD and Irrigation Department, and the PHD Director.