Gold hallmarking still not available in 63% districts in India

Kolkata: Nearly 63% of Indian districts are yet to get a gold hallmarking facility though the government is all set to roll out the second phase of the initiative which has included hallmarking of gold jewellery of 20, 23 and 24 carats. The second phase of hallmarking kicks off on June 1.

In the first phase, which was rolled out on June 1, 2021, hallmarking of 14, 18 and 22-carat jewellery was made mandatory. At present, out of 773 districts in the country, only 288 districts have hallmarking facilities. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of districts with hallmarking facilities.

“India is a vast country. Though the government is trying to roll out gold hallmarking across the country in a year’s time from now, it is not that easy. It will take at least three more years to provide hallmarking facilities to all the districts,” said India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) national secretary Surendra Mehta.

All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Chairman Ashish Pethe said, “The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made a provision to allow a common consumer to get the purity of their un hallmarked gold jewellery tested at any of the BIS recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHC).

The AHC will undertake the testing for consumers on priority and provide a test report. The report will assure the consumer about the purity of the jewellery and will also be useful if the consumer wishes to sell the jewellery.

Courtesy: Economic Times