Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's appeal to the industry, advice not to compromise on quality

New Delhi : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has given an advice regarding the business world on Wednesday. He has said that it is important to focus on making high quality products to double the global market, because export competitiveness cannot be achieved through government subsidies or support.

He said the government is trying to motivate the business world to manufacture high quality products as it is a “difficult” task to get the business world to accept that they should produce quality goods. The government initially faced strong opposition from business over the quality control orders.

our doors closed

“Our export competitiveness is not going to come from subsidies or government support,” the minister said. It's not going to come by closing our doors to the rest of the world. If we are moving towards becoming a self-reliant India, it can happen only when India is self-confident and this self-confidence will come only when we all decide that quality is not our job but our duty.”

adhere to better quality standards

He said that if Indian industry is not competitive in a product that can be imported, then the industry will have to work towards competition where it has a comparative advantage with other countries. The government is taking many steps like Quality Control Order or QCO to promote manufacturing in the country. He said that till 2014, only 14 QCOs 'covering' 106 products were issued, but in the last 10 years, the government has issued 174 such orders 'covering' 732 products to ensure that more More people can connect with better quality standards.

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BIS sign

These orders help in curbing imports of substandard products, preventing unfair trade practices and ensuring protection of consumers as well as the environment. According to the order, production, sales, business, import and storage of any item cannot be done unless it is signed by the Bureau of Indian Standards i.e. BIS. Violation of the provisions of the BIS Act in the first instance is punishable with imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh. In case of second and subsequent offences, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs 5 lakh and can be up to 10 times the value of the goods or articles.

It is necessary to get recognition at global level

QCOs are issued in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The minister said that manufacturing of high quality goods promotes economic activity. Employment is created and exports increase. Goyal said, “India must aspire to be a manufacturer of high quality goods and services and this should be recognized at the global level.”

Request to participate in BIS committee

Giving the example of medicine industry, the minister asked big businessmen to support micro, small and medium enterprises i.e. MSME units in this sector. The minister also urged the industry to participate in BIS i.e. Bureau of Indian Standards committees.

(with agency input)