• BIS commits to the mission of quality-conscious India through Gram Panchayats
• 2.4 Lakh Gram Panchayats across the country and more than 12 thousand panchayats in
  Telangana State reached out by BIS to date
• BIS initiates nationwide sensitisation workshops for Gram Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries
• Promoting Compliance to Indian Standards: Sensitization of Gram Panchayats across India by BIS

Hyderabad: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has embarked on a mission to create awareness and
promote compliance with Indian standards at the grassroots level. In an endeavour to ensure
the effective implementation of government programs and schemes in villages, BIS has
undertaken a comprehensive initiative to sensitize Gram Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries
across the country.
BIS, the National Standards Body of India, is pivotal in formulating standards and
conducting conformity assessments of products and services. Recognizing the critical
importance of adhering to Indian standards for the well-being of citizens, the environment, and
the overall quality of products and services, BIS has initiated this outreach program.
Purpose of the Initiative:
The primary objective of this initiative is to instil an understanding of the significance of
adhering to Indian Standards among Gram Panchayats and ensuring compliance with these
standards while implementing government programs and schemes at the village level. It aims
to promote the culture of standardization and the benefits of using products conforming to Indian
Standards among Gram Panchayats, who play a crucial role in the execution of various
government initiatives at the grassroots level.
Key Highlights of the Initiative:
1. So far 2.4 Lakh Gram Panchayats reached out: BIS has communicated to all Gram
Panchayats across the country. In that, more than 12 thousand GPs are from Telangana.
The Gram Panchayats are provided with a booklet of important and valuable Indian
Standards relevant to different sectors, underlining the importance of adhering to these
standards while executing various state/central government programs and schemes by
the panchayats.
2. Sensitization Workshops: BIS has also initiated training for Gram Panchayat
Presidents and Secretaries in collaboration with state and district authorities across the
country. These training programs for Presidents and Secretaries of Gram Panchayats
are planned to be held at block and district levels through the nationwide network of
38 BIS Branch Offices.
Benefits of the Initiative:
 Enhanced Quality and Safety: By fostering compliance to Indian standards, the
initiative aims to enhance the overall quality and safety of government programs and
schemes implemented at the village level.
 Consumer Protection: Compliance with standards ensures that products and services
meet specified quality and safety criteria, protecting consumers from substandard or
unsafe offerings.
 Environmental Conservation: Adherence to standards can contribute to
environmental protection by regulating processes that may have adverse ecological
impacts.
 Capacity Building: The Sensitization Workshops are designed to empower Gram
Panchayat officials with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement standards
effectively.
 National Progress: The initiative aligns with the vision of a prosperous and
progressive India by fostering a culture of quality and safety in all sectors.
 Awareness on BIS Care App: For empowering the consumers, BIS has also developed
BIS Care App available for both Android and iOS Platforms. Consumers can use the
app to access the information on Indian Standards, products covered under compulsory
certification, list of BIS certified manufacturers, verifying authenticity of certified
goods and materials, and mechanism to lodge the complaints in case of dissatisfaction,
if any.
BIS has also appealed all concerned departments at the state and district levels to provide their
support in facilitating these workshops, which will go a long way in strengthening the
implementation of standards at the grassroots level and ensuring the development of quality
infrastructure. BIS has also appealed that with collective efforts the effective implementation
of standards in rural areas, safeguarding the interests of citizens and promoting the growth of
our nation can be achieved.