Bullion merchants on token strike today

NELLORE: Jewellers will join their brethren from across the country by going on a token strike on Monday in protest against the arbitrarily implemented mandatory hallmarking process by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Shantilal Jain, life-president of Nellore District Bullion and Diamond Merchants Association said that they welcome Hallmarking but not HUID (Hallmarking Unique ID), which is a 'destructive process'.

The element of cancellation of registration, penal provisions, search and seizure will ultimately bring ‘Inspector Raaj’ in the industry, he said and that HUID was cumbersome and could lead to harassment of customers and MSME jewellers.

“It is also illegal as this process interferes with data privacy and business secrecy of individuals. We feel that by registering with the BIS we have signed our death-warrant in terms of losses and loss of livelihood,” said Jain.

Chief organiser of the association, Manilal Jain said “Hallmarking has been made mandatory in 256 districts from June 16, 2021. It is estimated that almost 10-12 crore pieces are manufactured annually in India. The existing stock of almost seven crore pieces are yet to be hallmarked. HUID is taking almost 5 to 10 days to hallmark products.”

In a representation submitted to Nellore MP Adala Prabhakar Reddy here on Sunday, the association members appealed to him to extend his support to their efforts to change the new Hallmark rules.

Reddy has reportedly assured to take up the matter with the concerned ministry.