The National Test House (NTH), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), organized a Chintan Shivir on Quality Infrastructure for Boosting Economy/Industry in the North East Region at Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati. The programme was conducted under the broader theme “Quality as the Foundation of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The Chintan Shivir was graced by Smt. Nidhi Khare, IAS, Hon’ble Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, as the chief guest. Shri Biswaranjan Samal, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, Shri Sanjay Garg, IAS, Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards, Shri Bharat Khera, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Dr. Alok Srivastava, Director General, National Test House and Smt. Anasuya Goswami, Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Assam were among the senior officials present on the occasion. The programme also witnessed participation from Dr. Meenakshi Ganeshan, DDG (E), BIS, Ms. Nishat, DDG(L) BIS,  Ms. Suneeti Tooteja, Head (FAD), BIS Headquarters, Shri Dwaipayan Bhadra, Head (CED), BIS Headquarters, Shri Abhinash Bordoloi, Scientist-D, ETD, BIS Headquarters, Shri Ashutosh Agrawal, Director, Legal Metrology, Dr. A.B.S. Shalini, Director (BIS & CCPA),and Shri Prashant Dubey, Deputy Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, along with representatives from industry, MSMEs, academia, and government departments across the North Eastern Region.

The inaugural session commenced with ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by welcome remarks and presentations highlighting the role of NTH and BIS in strengthening India’s quality ecosystem and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Addressing the gathering, senior dignitaries emphasized the critical importance of standardization, testing, certification, and legal metrology frameworks in enhancing industrial competitiveness, consumer protection, and public safety.

A panel discussion on “Strengthening Quality Infrastructure for MSME Competitiveness in the North-East Region” brought together experts from BIS, MSME bodies, industry associations, CIPET, and BioNest IIT Guwahati to deliberate on improving access to quality infrastructure and promoting standards adoption among regional industries.

The programme further included thematic breakout sessions focusing on embedding quality in the construction sector, standardization of electrical equipment, strengthening quality ecosystems for food products, sustainable packaging standards, and exploring regional opportunities under the Look East strategy. A parallel session on Legal Metrology as a Growth Partner for MSMEs highlighted regulatory facilitation and measurement assurance mechanisms essential for trade and industry development. Key recommendations emerging from the discussions were presented during the plenary session.

The Chintan Shivir served as an important platform for collaborative dialogue among policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders, and quality institutions to accelerate adoption of quality standards and reinforce quality infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth in the North Eastern Region.

 

PG/SM 

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