Centre Launches Fourth Phase Of Gold Hallmarking, Expands To 18 More Districts
Massive Gold Robbery: 19 kg Stolen from Telangana Bank Swipe Rs 13.6 crore Worth of Gold
The government has extended the gold hallmarking initiative to 18 additional districts, increasing coverage to 361 districts nationwide. The announcement, made on Thursday, highlights significant progress in ensuring transparency and consumer trust in the gold jewellery market.
https://www.bis.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/List-of-additional-18-districts-4th-phase-1.pdf
Over 40 crore gold items have been hallmarked with a unique Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number under the initiative, as per the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. This fourth phase, which began on November 5, is part of the **Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Amendment Order, 2024**, implemented by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The hallmarking process, launched in phases since June 2021, started with 256 districts and expanded gradually in subsequent phases. It has led to daily hallmarking of over 4 lakh gold items, a fivefold increase in registered jewellers from 34,647 in 2021 to 1,94,039 in 2024, and a rise in Assaying and Hallmarking Centres from 945 to 1,622.
Consumers can verify hallmarked jewellery through the BIS Care app by entering the HUID number. The app provides details such as metal purity, hallmarking date, and allows complaints about quality or deceptive practices.
This expansion reinforces efforts to create a transparent, consumer-friendly gold market, fostering informed decisions and standardisation in the jewellery sector.
