Lok Sabha Question No. 1681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Strike by Jewellers
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth, Su Thirunavukkarasar

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## STRIKE BY JEWELLERS

1681.   SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the estimated number of jewellers across the country who have got themselves registered for hallmarking and the number of pieces of jewellery that have been hallmarked since the implementation of mandatory hallmarking of gold ornaments;
- (b) whether  there  has  been  a  nationwide  strike  by  jewellers  against  the  mandatory hallmarking;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the specific demands of the jewellers in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to look into the legitimate demands of the jewellers against the implementation of mandatory hallmarking;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  to  (f) : The number  of  jewelers  who  got  themselves  registered  for  hallmarking  as  on  30 November 2021 is1,26,373 and the number of pieces of jewellery that have been hallmarked since the  implementation  of  mandatory  hallmarking  of  gold  ornaments  (from  01  July  2021  -  30 November 2021)is 4.29 Crore.

Hallmarking had been made mandatory from January15, 2021. However, in view of the pandemic  situation,  the  date  was  extended  to  June  1,  2021.  Thereafter,  there  were  detailed stakeholders' consultations with representatives from  jewellery  manufacturers,  exporters, wholesalers,  retailers,  AHCs,  consumer  organizations  etc.  Taking  into  account  the  ground situation, Hallmarking has been made mandatory from June 23, 2021 for 14, 18, & 22 carat of gold jewellery/artefacts in 256 districts of the country where there is at least one Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).

An advisory committee, which also included representatives of jewellers and AHCs, has been  constituted  by  the  Government  to  deal  with  the  issues  faced  in  the  implementation  of mandatory hallmarking. Some of the genuine concerns addressed by the Government interalia include the following:

Jeweller registration has been made free and valid for lifetime; Jewellers having turnover less  than  Rs.40  lakhs  have  been  exempted  from  mandatory  hallmarking;  Polki,  jadaau  and kundanjewellery  have  been  exempted  from  mandatory  hallmarking;  Indian  standard  for Hallmarking  was  amended  to  provide  for  the  hallmarking  of  20,  23  and  24  carats  of  gold jewellery; Indian Standard has also been amended to provide for hallmarking of mixed lot of jewellery; Hallmarking Unique ID (HUID) based system has been introduced to ensure greater transparency in the functioning of the gold jewellery industry and for providing credibility of hallmark to the consumers. Further, the software has been made user-friendly and a Help Desk has been set up at BIS Headquarters and also at all BIS Branch Offices, to resolve the issues and problems of the jewellers and AHCs.

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