Government Claims, Hallmarking Scheme A Grand Success, Jewellers Finds It Time Consuming And Set To Go On Strike On Monday

New Delhi: The centre and Jewellers are up against each other over the Hallmarking process of gold jewellery. Director-General, Bureau of Indian Standards,  Pramod Kumar Tiwari claimed, “Hallmarking scheme is turning out to be a grand success with more than 1 crore pieces of Jewellery Hallmarked in a quick time.” On the other hand Jewellers across India are set to go on a One day strike on Monday, August 23, 2021, to protest against the Hallmarking process, mandated by the BIS, alleging that this process has been ‘arbitrarily implemented’. The one-day strike is being called by the National Task Force on hallmarking. According to them, the process is tedious and time-consuming.

They alleged that the process of Hallmarking takes five to ten days to get pieces Hallmarked through certifying centers. Director-General BIS said that ‘The government is listening to every issue raised by stakeholders. The idea of a strike is uncalled for.  In a single day, on 20th August 2021, 3 lakh 90 thousand jewellery pieces were Hallmarked. The number of jewellers, who sent their jewellery for Hallmarking increased from 5145 during 1st July to 15th July increased to 14,349 during 1st August to 15th August, 2021 and 861 AHCs started hallmarking as per the HUID-based system. This has happened because of jewellers support and cooperation, which is reflected in the fact that the number of registered jewellers has increased to 91,603 and that of the jewellery pieces received for Hallmarking since 1st July, 2021 to 20th August, was One crore Seventeen lakhs and hallmarked One crore Two lakhs in the same period.” He appealed to the members of industry to extend their full cooperation in the implementation of the scheme and desist from strike and such activities, as the Government was fully committed to address their genuine demands.”

 Tiwari asked the jewellery body GJC to reconsider its decision and take back the call for strike. “We will regularly have dialogue with you. HUID is in the interest of the country and consumers. This is a big initiative,” he said, adding that the government is always ready to address the concerns of jewellers.

Gold Hallmarking has been made mandatory from 16 June this year in a phased manner. The government has identified 256 districts from 28 states and Union Territories for the phase-1 implementation. Before 16 June, gold Hallmarking, a purity certification of the precious metal, was voluntary in nature.

Director-General BIS emphasized that the scheme had been a grand success and after having hallmarked more than one crore pieces of jewellery, it made no sense to be talking about the postponement or withdrawal of the scheme. He reiterated that HUID-based hallmarking was a win-win situation for everyone, as it brings about transparency in the functioning of the industry, ensures consumers’ right to get right stuff for their money and obviates the chances of Inspector Raj. He said that there has been a gradual and satisfactory increase in the pace of hallmarking. During the fortnight 1st July to 15th July 2021, 14.28 lakh pieces were hallmarked, but this number increased to 41.81 lakh during 1st August to 15th August.

 He added that there should not be any problem in hallmarking 10 crore pieces of jewellery in a year, which is the estimated number of jewellery pieces to be Hallmarked if the Hallmarking became mandatory across the country.