SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has decided to intensify inspections and consumer awareness measures to prevent the sale of non-conforming or artificial jewellery as gold or silver, particularly in areas with high pilgrim and consumer footfall.
Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, chaired a meeting on Tuesday to review measures for protecting consumers from misleading practices in the jewellery trade.
The meeting was attended by the Joint Controller, Legal Metrology; Deputy Director, F and R; Deputy Director, Supplies; Chief Accounts Officer of the Directorate of FCS and CA; representatives of Swarnakar Associations from Jammu, Udhampur, Katra and Reasi; and Assistant Directors of the Jammu Division along with area inspectors.
Officials discussed complaints concerning artificial or non-conforming articles allegedly being marketed as gold or silver. Concerns relating to purity, hallmarking, weight, billing and the disclosure of making charges were also examined.
Shavan stressed the need for coordinated action among the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Legal Metrology Department and Consumer Affairs Department to ensure transparent trade practices and safeguard both consumers and genuine traders.
The meeting decided that joint awareness programmes and stakeholder meetings would be organised at the district level. Authorities were also directed to conduct regular and random inspections and take appropriate action against those found involved in unfair or misleading trade practices.
The participants also emphasised awareness about BIS hallmarking and HUID verification, along with proper disclosure of jewellery weight, purity and other applicable charges. Strengthening the consumer grievance redressal mechanism was also discussed.
The next awareness camp will be held in Katra, the meeting decided.
