SAI lab needs shot in the arm

8216;8216;Time is running out and the Indian authorities need to speed up things,8217;8217; the Japanese told The Indian Express after his inspection and talks with the officials, here today.

So, was there a delay on the part of SAI in installing of machines at the Delhi lab? 8216;8216;I believe they have been lying there for quite some time. By this time they should have been installed and completed with all formalities,8217;8217; he pointed out. Dr Kuroda has given SAI a week8217;s time to install the new machines, see their functioning before getting them calibrated.

During the course of discussion, Dr Kuroda said that he had intimated the SAI Director General Shekhar Dutt about the things to done and urgency of the matter. 8216;8216;I spoke to the DG and he seemed receptive to the ideas and promised to get everything done soon,8217;8217; he said.

Later, Dutt confirmed that things were moving fast on the accreditation front and he was hopeful of moving the application by early next month after receiving the ISO 17025 certification from NABL. The NABL officials had visited the lab in the first week of this month and they are expected to place before the general body their report on August 30 seeking its approval.

On the question of SAI seeking collobration with the Tokyo lab to gain recognition and respectability, Dr Kuroda insisted that 8216;8216;this was very vital, but for that to happen they have to get into an agreement as soon as possible.8217;8217; The reason Dr Kuroda spoke of the need for a collobration is the fact that trained manpower at Tokyo lab will ensure better use of the facilities in Delhi.

SAI has already taken the cue. It is learnt that Dr Shiela Jain, in charge of the Delhi lab, will be visiting Japan soon to firm up the deal with Dr Ueki, director of the Tokyo lab.

Dr Kuroda also warned that a slip in standard could have serious consequence as was the case with Seoul lab in the Sunita Rani case. 8216;8216;The Seoul lab was was downgraded after that. With the loss of credibility, it is now allowed to test only the 8216;A8217; samples. For the University Games, which are beginning later this month in Korea, the Seoul lab has been informed of getting the 8216;B8217; samples tested outside the country,8217;8217; he said.

In fact, according to Dr Kuroda, Seoul lab got its accreditation in February 2002 8212; just eight months before the Busan Games 8212; and was downgraded soon after because it proved inefficient with its testing methods and staff.

With such a precedent and almost a replay of the Seoul scenario in front of it, SAI seems to be walking on thin ice.