The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has reached out to 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats to create awareness and promote compliance with Indian standards (IS) at the grassroots level.  The initiative aims to enhance the overall quality and safety of government programs and schemes implemented at the village level. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said that compliance with standards ensures that products and services meet specified quality and safety criteria. The Ministry added, it also protects consumers from substandard or unsafe offerings and protects the environment by regulating processes that may have adverse ecological impacts.