The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Jamshedpur office marked World Consumer Rights Day by conducting various outreach programs throughout March 2025. A key highlight was the Gram Panchayat Training sessions held from March 17-19, 2025, aimed at enhancing awareness of quality standards and the role of BIS.

The training sessions witnessed the active participation of 112 Gram Panchayat Presidents (Mukhiays) out of the total 132 in Saraikela-Kharsawan district. Several Block Development Officers (BDOs) also took part in the sessions, which covered all 9 blocks of the district: Seraikela, Chandil, Kharsawan, Ichagarh, Gamharia, Kuchai, Rajnagar, Nimdih and Kukru.

The training aimed to educate participants on product quality and safety, emphasizing the significance of BIS in ensuring consumer protection, the importance of the ISI mark as a symbol of quality assurance, Hallmark certification for gold and silver jewellery, and the CRS mark, which ensures the safety and quality of electronic goods. Participants were also introduced to the regulatory frameworks for compulsory certification.

BIS is conducting a series of consumer awareness initiatives throughout March, engaging with students, rural communities, industry representatives, residents of RWA societies and government officials to promote quality consciousness and consumer rights.

A significant part of the training focused on introducing the BIS Care App, a vital tool for real-time updates on quality standards and consumer assurance. Many participants downloaded the app to verify product authenticity and compliance with BIS standards. Several women Mukhias shared their personal experiences of being misled while purchasing gold, expressing that the BIS Care App would empower them to make informed choices in the future.

The interactive nature of the training fostered active participation and encouraged local leaders to promote quality standards in their respective panchayats. Mukhias were urged to spread awareness about BIS certification and standards among their communities, strengthening consumer protection at the grassroots level.