BIS in talks to set up first lab in Jharkhand

Ranchi: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is planning to set up a laboratory in the state.
The nodal body for standardization in the country has approached the state government for land in Ranchi to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory to conduct quality control tests of products - electronic goods, information technology, food and other consumer products.
If plans materialize, it will be the first BIS testing laboratory in the state, a boost for manufacturers who will be able to get their products tested and obtain the standard mark for business.
Sources in the state industries, mines and geology and land reforms and revenue departments said BIS has sent a requisition for land close to the state capital in December. The land reforms and revenue department is in the final stage of identifying and allotting a plot of land, revealed sources. Senior department officials were unavailable for comments.
Besides food and public distribution, the BIS laboratory will come as a big boost to the state's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and the food processing plants, which have to depend on BIS-affiliated laboratories in Bihar and West Bengal for testing and approval. "The certification process is time-consuming and expensive," Pawan Sharma, president of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJsaid.
"A BIS laboratory in the state will be beneficial for entrepreneurs. It is expected shortly," state industry director K Ravikumar said. Presently, the state industries department is pushing for the promotion of MSMEs through heavy exemptions and incentives through its new industrial policy.