Govt may tweak jewellery hallmarking norms before making it mandatory

Only issue is whether upcoming general elections could impact the timing of roll out or not.

The government is considering tweaking the norms relating to making hallmarking of jewellery mandatory. This comes after several jewellery bodies pushed for allowing hallmarking and sale of jewellery with a wider range of purity — 20 and 24 carat.

According to the existing rules, gold jewellery in only three grades of 14, 18 and 22 carat should be hallmarked and sold.

However, in a meeting of all stakeholders and ministry officials called by Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Pawan in New Delhi on Thursday, it was indicated that the government will consider the demand of allowing hallmarking 20 and 24