It has been a difficult period for the G & J sector especially over the past few months. All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has always stood strong at such crucial times and has worked hard for providing suitable solutions which are in interest of our sector.

Here are some details as shared by GJC officials related to ongoing work on Mandatory Hallmarking and HUID -- they urge members of G & J industry strongly not to rely on various fake news being circulated in the social media or on WhatsApp groups.

The first meeting with Minister of Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal ji was held on 24th May 2021 where an Expert Committee was formed, which comprised 17 members representing the jewellery industry. The expert committee met virtually on 25th, 27th and 29th of May and all the 14 committee members of the Domestic industry had opposed HUID and detailed recommendations were also sent to BIS. On 15th June, a physical meeting of the entire Expert Committee was held in Delhi, chaired by Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Shri Piyush Goyal ji wherein a lot of issues were resolved in presence of the DG – BIS. Further, a direction was given to form a High-Level Committee. It was also resolved that HUID would be limited to the hallmarking centres only. However, many of our agreed points are still not implemented, including HUID, which has already been imposed arbitrarily on Jewellers from 16th June 2021.

To have a unanimous representation and approach, GJC had organised various meetings with many jewellery associations across the country. Ashish Pethe, GJC Chairman has been invited to be part of Advisory Committee and he has presented industry’s concerns and issues strongly on the newly implemented Law. On the recommendation of GJC Chairman, two special invitees representing the Wholesale & MSME sector were made part of the Advisory Committee.

GJC has been assigned to prepare a detailed SOP on Domestic Gems & Jewellery Industry. GJC has initiated to form a Task Force comprising of members from across the country, to coordinate and work out an appropriate strategy using the best of Legal advisors & Tax consultants. 

Over the last few days, series of brainstorming meetings were conducted virtually, and yesterday the following members met physically and through video conferencing in Mumbai and had detailed discussions and deliberations to formulate the SOP for the Domestic Gems & Jewellery Industry:

1.   Ashish Pethe - Chairman GJC, (Chain Store) Mumbai

2.   Saiyam Mehra - Vice Chairman GJC, (Wholesaler) Mumbai

3.   Ashok Minawala, (Designer Boutique) Mumbai

4.   Nitin Khandelwal, (Large Retailer) Akola

5.   Dinesh Jain, (MSME Jeweller) Mumbai

6.   Fatehchand Ranka, (Chain Store) Pune

7.   Jitendra Bhindi, (Manufcturer & Exporter) Junagarh

8.   Mahesh Jain, (Bullion, Retailer & Exporter) Kanpur

9.   Muthu Venkatraman,   (Manufacturer) Coimbatore

10.   Prakash Kagrecha, (Wholesaler) Mumbai

11.   Samar Kumar De (Babloo Da), (MSME Retailer) Kolkata

12.   Yogesh Singhal, (Wholesaler) New Delhi

GJC also urges members to follow the guidelines being issued from time to time by this Task Force. The Task Force is in regular touch with members of the Advisory Committee to come out with the best solution that we can represent to the Government. GJS requests everyone to keep patience and not panic. Rest assured that they are having meetings regularly with all concerned stakeholders.

GJC is in process to provide its members with the complete set of Advisory (FAQs) and the orders, issued by BIS. It is also pleased to inform everyone that GJC has created an exclusive helpline to apprise every member with clarity on the issues related to hallmarking and HUID.

All members may send GJC a ‘Whatsapp Message’ on +91 7718883474. You can also send your queries / issues / suggestions by email on : hallmarking@gjc.org.in 

The Council would take note of these issues and suggestions as well as revert on these queries at the earliest possible. Should anyone require any support for drafting any communication that they would like to send to the concerned government officials or Ministries, members of the Council would extend support for the same as well.