PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 11: In an attempt to promote consumer rights and awareness, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jamshedpur Branch Office (JDBO) is observing Consumer Awareness Month across Jharkhand throughout March, commemorating World Consumer Rights Day on March 15.
The month-long initiative aims to sensitize consumers about their rights, responsibilities and the importance of product quality and safety.
Key Programs to Empower Consumers
As part of the initiative, BIS has lined up a series of outreach programmes such as RWA Carnivals, Gram Chaupal, Gram Panchayat training for mukhiyas and sarpanchs, consumer awareness sessions with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), jewellers’ awareness programmes in uncovered districts, Quality Connect sessions for state government officials and academia, and Standards Club activities in schools and colleges across the state.
These initiatives are aimed at strengthening consumer rights and ensuring widespread dissemination of information regarding product quality, ISI mark on products, hallmarking on gold and silver jewellery/ artefacts, BIS Care App, a tool for consumer empowerment, and consumer grievance redressal.
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Talking to newsmen here today, Kunal Kumar, Director and Head, BIS-JDBO, emphasized the fundamental rights and responsibilities of consumers. He said, “Consumers have the right to safety, education, choice, information and grievance redressal. However, they also share critical responsibilities such as to be aware, asking for bills, checking ISI marks, reading product labels, reporting defective products and ensuring they do not misuse grievance redressal platforms.”
BIS Care App for Consumer Protection
A key highlight of the awareness drive is the promotion of the BIS Care App, which allows consumers to verify the authenticity of products, hallmark jewellery and electronic goods.
The app also facilitates lodging complaints in case of spurious or substandard products, ensuring that consumers have a direct channel for grievance redressal. Consumers can also report complaints via email or other platforms supported by BIS.
Quality Connect Program to Strengthen Awareness
The BIS is further intensifying its Quality Connect Programme between March 19-21, aimed at interaction and sensitisation of state government officials and academia on quality standards and certifications.
Dedicated teams of Resource Persons have been mobilized to engage with officials and academicians across Jharkhand to propagate the significance of product standards and certifications.
Additionally, the BIS has been conducting extensive awareness sessions to educate consumers on identifying genuine products through ISI marks, hallmarking on jewellery and the BIS logo with a six-digit alphanumeric code.
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Consumers have been advised that products without these marks are likely spurious or substandard. Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, severe penal provisions exist against the use of fake BIS certification marks.
Through this series of consumer outreach programmes, BIS aims to empower consumers to make informed choices, enhance their awareness regarding product safety and strengthen the demand for quality products in the market.
