BIS conducts 20 raids, more in offing

NEW DELHI: Bureau of Indian Standards on Tuesday said it had carried out 20 raids throughout the country in the month of March to catch firms misusing the ISI mark on items of mass consumption such as mineral water, gas stoves, sewing machines and water pumps.

"BIS conducted 20 enforcement raids throughout the country in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal and Maharashtra on firms misusing ISI mark," the BIS said.

The raided firms were found misusing ISI mark without a valid licence from BIS on items of mass consumption, which include packaged drinking water, PVC insulated cables, GSL lamps, LPG stoves, sewing machines, it said.

The maximum violations were reported from producers of GSL lamps and mineral water while BIS also found some manufacturers of sewing machines and water pumps, using fake ISI mark on the products.

Four raids were conducted in Delhi while three each in West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Amman Marketing Services of Tamil Nadu and Safi Mineral Water Plant and Hina Drinking Water were booked for using ISI mark without BIS authorisation, the release said.

LPG stoves manufactured by Delhi-based Gupta Engineers and MP-based Rajshree Home appliances were allegedly using a fake mark.

"The BIS would further intensify its raids against firms misusing ISI marks as these spurious household products are a serious threat to the safety and health of the common consumer," BIS Chief Vigilance Officer Anant Dhul said.