The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Saturday said the hallmarking process of gold jewelery has accelerated and more than one crore jewelery has been hallmarked in the last 50 days. At present, gold hallmarking is mandatory in about 256 districts of the country, which have Assaying and Hallmarking Centers (AHCs) in the first phase.
Speaking to media persons at the virtual briefing, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS said, “Between 1st July to 20th August, more than one crore jewelery has been hallmarked at Parakh Kendras, while in the period 1-15 July Under the HUID-based system, around 14.28 lakh jewelery hallmarked. There was a three-fold increase and 41.81 lakh jewelery hallmarked in the period 1-15 August.
Call for ‘Token Strike’
After the All India Gem and Jewelery Domestic Council (GJC) called for a nationwide ‘Token Strike’ on August 23 “against the government’s arbitrary implementation of mandatory hallmarking of gold jewelery with HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification Number)” Commented this.
Responding to the concerns raised by the industry on the lack of capacity of AHCs, Tiwari said, “Out of 853 centers that received jewelery for hallmarking during August 1-15, only 161 centers received more than 500 jewelery per day and more than 300 centres. Received more AHCs. Less than 100 pieces received per day. So, there is very little capacity in the country.”
“Given the pace of hallmarking, I do not think there will be any problem in hallmarking 100 million jewelery a year, which is the estimated number of jewelery required for hallmarking if hallmarking is mandatory across the country. ,” Tiwari said.
He said HUID-based hallmarking is a win-win for all, as it brings transparency in the sector, protects the interests of consumers and eliminates inspector raj.
Stating that the government is sensitive and accessible to the demands of the jewelery industry, he said that regular consultations are being held with all the stakeholders to address their grievances and challenges. “The call for strike by certain sections of the jewelery industry is unnecessary. They should reconsider their decision. We have been and will continue to engage with all stakeholders to address their concerns.”
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