Govt to make hallmarking of jewellery mandatory, small retailers seek time

India has 750 hallmarking and assaying centers and 100 are in pipeline

The government is giving final touches to the mandatory hallmarking of jewellery.

Sources close to the development said hallmarking would be permitted in three categories of 14, 18 or 22 carat.

The government is said to be finalising a proposal that prescribes unique identification for each piece of hallmarked jewellery.

In June, the government had notified regulations for gold and silver jewellery hallmarking. However, the decision is awaiting execution.

The subject falls under the ministry of consumer affairs but the law suggests the government should decide when to make it mandatory and that clarity has emerged.

Currently hallmarking is catching up in big cities but