India Must Focus on Quality of Products and Services to Achieve Developed Nation Status by 2047, Says BIS Director General

India must prioritise quality in products and services to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, according to Sanjay Garg, Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Speaking at the 79th foundation day of BIS, Garg emphasised the importance of quality as a distinguishing factor between developed and developing countries. He noted that quality standards cannot be overlooked if India aims to become a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

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Garg highlighted that the BIS has consistently aimed to provide citizens with safe and reliable products since its establishment. The organisation is dedicated to assisting industries in meeting these quality objectives. "Quality is the single most determining factor between a developed and a developing nation," he stated, pointing out that differences in infrastructure, governance, and services are evident when visiting developed countries.

Progress in Jewellery Hallmarking

The hallmarking of gold jewellery has seen significant progress, with 373 districts now requiring mandatory hallmarking. Over 58 crore gold jewellery pieces have been hallmarked so far, with more than one crore pieces being processed monthly. Garg also mentioned the voluntary introduction of silver hallmarking, which is gaining momentum due to industry demand for mandatory implementation.

Since September 1 last year, Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID)-based hallmarking for silver jewellery has been introduced voluntarily. This system aims to assure consumers of the metal's purity during purchase. More than 23 lakh silver articles have already been hallmarked under this new system.

Future Plans for Silver Hallmarking

While silver hallmarking is currently voluntary, there is growing industry demand for it to become mandatory. Garg stated that this step would only be considered once the necessary infrastructure is in place. The BIS is evaluating the situation and will make a decision when ready.

The BIS remains committed to supporting industries in achieving high-quality standards. Garg reiterated that ignoring quality standards would hinder India's progress towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. The focus on quality is essential for ensuring that citizens have access to reliable products and services.

With inputs from PTI