Centre unwilling to implement BIS marking on Chinese goods

The electrical and electronics wholesale merchants in Chandni Chowk can continue importing these items from China without any quality control as Central government is dragging its feet to implement quality control mechanism. In a recent official order, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEIT), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has announced to defer the implementation of mandatory quality control by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) marking for the third time, by the end of this year.

“The industry has sought more time for compliance to the order and the issues involved are being discussed with the stakeholders for <g data-gr-id="44">smooth</g> implementation of this order. It is hereby notified that the date of implementation of this order is extended to December 1,” said a recent order signed by Ajay Kumar, additional secretary, of DEIT. The department in an order on November 13, <g data-gr-id="41">2014</g> had included 15 electrical and electronics items in the list of compulsory BIS marking, the implementation of which was first extended on May 11, 2015. <g data-gr-id="37">Second</g> extension was given on August 7, <g data-gr-id="38">2015</g> to extend it till December. 

The BIS marking on two items <g data-gr-id="34">were</g> extended till September 13 which are likely to be extended till December. A visit to the Bhagirath Palace which is considered as the largest market of imported fancy lights, electrical and electronics markets revealed that it was tight packed with Chinese imported items without any quality control or markings.

“We appreciate the effort of the government for implementing BIS marking as it will improve the quality. A report is expected to come in three months and the testing is very costly,” said <g data-gr-id="30">Udhav</g> Sharda, secretary of Delhi Electrical Traders Association (DETA). “BIS authorised laboratories charge Rs 60,000 per test besides Rs 28,000 fee for BIS. We also have to submit two costly pieces for testing,” he added. “If we want to import parts and assemble here, we will be needing land to set up units for assembling and manufacturing units,” said Hari Rathi, an importer in the area. The market of fancy lights is over Rs 400 crore business in India. 

“The purpose of these quality control is promoting the businessmen to import parts and assemble here. If we are provided with land to set up assembling units it will definitely create jobs but <g data-gr-id="46">government</g> seems to be <g data-gr-id="32">direction less</g>”, said Kama Kalra, president, New <g data-gr-id="31">Lalpat</g> Rai Market.