Banks, ETFs, and jewellers can get into some arrangement, but regulation can hobble the process
Two-thirds of India's gold demand comes from rural areas, where jewellery is a traditional store of wealth
Demand for gold is falling, partly as a result of government measures, higher local prices and the metal's fading appeal among more youthful customers
Gold is an essential part of the bride's dowry in India and also a popular gift from family and guests at weddings
Moreover, increased buying by local jewellers at domestic spot market, supported the uptrend in gold
Gold demand in major hubs in Asia remained dull as most markets were shut for the Lunar New Year holidays
India's gold consumption is likely to drop to its lowest in eight years in 2017
The gold demand in India stood at 193 tonnes during the third quarter of 2016, according to WGC's Global gold demand in Q3 2017
Gold is considered an essential part of weddings in India, second-biggest consumer of the metal in the world after China, and it is a popular gift on such occasions
The global price fell this week to $1,287 an ounce, the lowest in a month, after the US Federal Reserve affirmed a scheduled upward revision in its policy rate this December
Dealers in India offered discounts for gold, as the absence of key festivals kept demand subdued