Industry body slams steep hike in gold hallmarking fees

India's gem and jewellery sector has pushed back against the Centre's decision to significantly raise hallmarking fees, arguing the move will burden legitimate manufacturers and retailers without addressing core industry concerns.

The Gem and Jewellery Council (GJC) has demanded an urgent reconsideration of the fee hike, which amounts to a 67 per cent increase in charges for certifying the purity of gold jewellery. The industry body contends that the steep rise will increase operational costs for compliant businesses at a time when the sector faces mounting pressures.

Instead of raising fees, the GJC has urged authorities to prioritise enforcement against fake hallmarking practices and unauthorised operators operating in the market. The council argues that tightening regulatory oversight of non-compliant players would better serve consumer protection and industry health than additional cost burdens on legitimate enterprises.

The hallmarking system in India is designed to guarantee the authenticity and purity of gold jewellery sold to consumers. The fee revision comes as policymakers seek to strengthen quality assurance mechanisms across the sector, though industry representatives contend the timing and magnitude of the increase warrant reconsideration.