300 JSR jewellers on strike in protest against hallmark policy

Jamshedpur: More than 300 jewellers across Jamshedpur downed shutters on Monday in protest against the Centre's Hallmarking Unique ID (HUID) system for ornaments.
Jamshedpur Jewellers Association president Vipin Adesra clarified that they were not against hallmarking policy but said HUID will neither benefit the customers nor the shopkeepers.
He said under the present system of hallmarking, there is no provision of protecting the interests of the customers and giving them quality products.
He said on the businessman’s part, those found not following the system would be liable for legal action, which in coming days if not revoked, will promote “inspector raj” of the past.
So Adesra wanted the Centre to immediately amend the policy for the benefit of customers and shop owners.
Notably, the token strike was called by the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council and was supported by more than 350 associations across the country.
According to jewellers, they cannot accept the new HUID as it has nothing to do with the purity of gold. The BIS feels the new HUID will improve gold purity but jewellers think it is just a tracking mechanism.
The jewellers said the new system HUID is not foolproof as there have been lots of issues such as double HUID on the same piece, same HUID on multiple pieces of jewellery and so on.
Gold hallmarking, a purity certification of the precious metal, was voluntary in nature so far. Jewellers selling non-certified products are to face fines from September.
Mandatory gold hallmarking has come into force from June 16 in a phased manner. The government has identified 256 districts from 28 states and Union Territories for the phase-1 implementation and is applicable to jewellers with an annual turnover above Rs 40 lakh.
Jamshedpur Jewellers Association secretary Kamal Singhania said the present system of hallmarking is a time-consuming process too. So, both customers and jewellers have to face problems as delivery of ornaments will take a longer.