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Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has earned an income of Rs. 9814.91 lakh (unaudited) from the Certification Schemes for the year 2003-2004 against Rs. 9313.48 lakh for the year 2002-2003, as disclosed by Shri Taslimuddin, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in Lok Sabha yesterday. The Bureau monitors the quality of ISI marked products through a regular factory inspection and by testing of samples drawn from factory and market after grant of licences. During 2003-04 (up to November 2003), 1368 test reports were found not conforming to the standards out of a total of 9898 reports received. The number of test reports found failing in respect of the prescribed standards during 2002-2003 was 3251 out of a total of 17615 reports received. The number of cases of illegal use of BIS marks detected during 2003-04 was 206 as against 180 in the previous year.
The misuse of ISI mark is detected through market surveys, visit to exhibitions, interaction with industry/trade associations, feedback from BIS licensees and complaints. Whenever, spurious ISI marking on the product is established, legal proceedings are launched in the court of law against the offending parties under BIS Act 1986 through Enforcement Department, Legal Department and concerned Branch Office of BIS. Any person convicted under the Act is liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs. 50,000/- or with both as provided under Section 33 of the BIS Act.
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