JAMMU, Oct 15: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv Devraj Sharma has emphasized the importance of quality standards in promoting safe products, reliable services, technological innovation and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that adherence to recognised standards is essential for building public confidence, protecting consumers and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every section of society.
Adv Sharma observed that World Standards Day serves as a reminder of the important role played by standardisation in modern life, from the safety of household products and construction materials to the reliability of digital services, healthcare equipment and industrial processes. He said that quality standards are not merely technical requirements but an essential foundation for economic progress, public safety and responsible governance.
Highlighting the relevance of the occasion for Jammu and Kashmir, he said that the Union Territory is witnessing continuing efforts to strengthen infrastructure, improve public services, promote tourism and create opportunities for entrepreneurship. In this context, maintaining quality standards in roads, bridges, public buildings, drinking water systems and other development projects is crucial to ensuring durability, safety and value for public money.
He stressed that infrastructure development must be accompanied by effective quality-control mechanisms, transparent inspections and accountability at every stage of execution. Public projects should be assessed not only by the speed of their completion but also by their durability, safety and ability to serve people over the long term.
Adv Sharma said that Jammu and Kashmir’s small businesses, handicraft producers, food-processing units, farmers and emerging entrepreneurs can also benefit from greater awareness of recognised quality standards. Compliance with appropriate standards can improve consumer confidence, strengthen market access and help local products compete in wider domestic and international markets.
He noted that Jammu and Kashmir is known for its distinctive handicrafts, traditional products, agricultural produce and tourism potential. Ensuring authenticity, consistency and quality in these sectors can help preserve the region’s reputation while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The BJP leader also underlined the importance of consumer awareness, stating that people should be encouraged to check relevant quality certifications and product information before purchasing goods. He called for stronger awareness campaigns to help consumers understand the significance of recognised certifications and exercise their rights against substandard or misleading products.
Referring to the growing role of technology, Adv Sharma said that standards are increasingly important in digital governance, cybersecurity, telecommunications, energy efficiency and emerging technologies. Jammu and Kashmir must keep pace with these developments by encouraging innovation while ensuring reliability, safety and responsible use of technology.
He further stressed the need to spread awareness about quality standards among students, young professionals, technicians, entrepreneurs and workers. Educational institutions and skill-development centres can play an important role in helping the younger generation understand how standardisation contributes to scientific progress, industrial growth and improved public services.
Adv Sharma called upon government departments, industry representatives, traders, manufacturers and citizens to work collectively towards promoting a culture of quality and accountability. He said that the effective implementation of standards requires cooperation among regulatory institutions, businesses and consumers rather than remaining confined to official guidelines.
Adv Devraj Sharma said that quality must become a guiding principle in every sphere of development, from public infrastructure and industrial production to consumer services and local entrepreneurship. He expressed confidence that greater awareness and implementation of recognised standards would contribute to a safer, more competitive and economically stronger Jammu and Kashmir.