GJF Hallmarking Video Conference, trade displays solidarity
21 Dec '07
3 min read
The GJF, organized a 29 city videoconference on Dec 15, 2007 to address the burning issue of mandatory hallmarking, which is slated to be implemented across the four metros on Jan 1, 2008.
Ashok Minawala, GJF Chairman, moderated the videoconference from Mumbai; he provided an overall perspective of the trade and presented an executive summary of the issue and suggestions put forward during the conference.
The trade expressed dismay over the government's total disregard of the ground realities while implementing mandatory hallmarking. Members of local trade bodies, and members of the jewellery fraternity in general, spoke in unison of projecting a united front in protesting against the implementation of the Hallmarking Act which will bring back the inspector raj and open the doors for corruption and harassment .
All the participating trade members agreed that all of them were pro-hallmarking; it was the governments disregard for ground realities and the draconian structuring of the Act that was the problem.
The conference then addressed the manner of protest. While some regions demanded a total bandh, south India trade members said that it was not advisable to go in for an extreme step like total closure. The consensus, in south India was to use the media to reach out to the key constituents. Using the media route before giving g the government an ultimatum and going in for an all India bandh was considered the most judicious move.
Another suggestion that all hallmark licence holders surrender their licences was put on hold as it was seen as too extreme and to be executed at the appropriate time.
marketing@alchempro.com
