Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Dec 8: A parliamentary panel has recommended establishment of adequate National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) labs and testing centres in Jammu & Kashmir for quality testing of products being exported to different countries.
In its report, which was tabled in both Houses of the Parliament on November 30, the department-related parliamentary standing committee on commerce has recommended setting up of adequate National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) labs and testing centres in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the report, these facilities would play a vital role in enhancing the quality of products in line with international standards.
The committee suggested that the administration of the Union Territory and the Department of Commerce should actively engage under the scheme of Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) to develop certification and testing infrastructure in the region.
The Committee, according to the report, was informed that due to absence of quality testing and certification facilities in Srinagar, the export products such as pashmina shawls, carpets, etc., from Srinagar are being sent to Delhi or Mumbai.
The panel was informed that the exporters have to bear the additional costs and time in exporting their products.
The committee visited J&K and Ladakh Union Territories from August 24 to 28 and had interactions with various stakeholders as well as representatives of the UT administrations of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh on “augmenting infrastructure facilities to boost exports.”
