The decision to make hallmarking mandatory has been taken to boost exports of gold jewellery from India, secretary with the department of consumer affairs L Mansingh said in Kolkata.
Hallmarking would also be necessary since India, which now enjoys the status of an observer, would become a member of the Vienna Gold Convention by the year end, he said.
A survey conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards had indicated that consumers in the country were being cheated by jewellers, with 88 per cent of the jewellery being
sold showing shortage of purity to the extent of 28-37 per cent, he said, adding that making hallmarking mandatory would also help in protecting interests of the consumers.
While BIS would be the main implementing agency and reduce licensing fee for the hallmark in metropolitan cities, financial assistance would also be provided to create the required infrastructure, he added.
The government would also launch awareness campaigns about the programme and would interact with jewellery manufacturers and retailers across the country.
"We want the industry to accept this," he said. Currently, more than 1,750 jewellers have obtained licence from BIS and 37 hallmarking and assaying centres were present across the country.
According to estimates, there are more than three lakh jewellery retailers and manufacturers and over 100 large-scale units in the country.
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