A search and seizure operation was carried out by officials of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) today on the premises of M/s Roy Gahanalaya, located at SC Goswami Road, Pan Bazaar in Guwahati.
The operation was carried out following complaints received regarding the alleged misuse of BIS Hallmark. Investigation by the BIS enforcement team revealed that the shop was allegedly involved in the sale of gold jewellery articles bearing fake BIS Hallmark. The use of spurious hallmark is a serious violation under the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, as hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts has been made mandatory by the Government of India in notified districts to ensure purity assurance and consumer protection.
The gold jewellery products are under mandatory hallmarking order notified by the Government of India. A genuine BIS Hallmark consists of the BIS Logo, Purity Mark and a unique 6-digit alphanumeric HUID Code, which can be verified using the BIS Care App. Action is being initiated against the offenders under violation of Section 14 (2) and 15(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. It is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees, but may extend up to five times the value of goods or articles produced or sold or offered to be sold or affixed or applied with a Standard Mark including Hallmark or both as per BIS Act 2016.
The BIS Act, 2016, states –The goods or articles notified in sub-section (1) of section 14, may be sold through retail outlets certified by the Bureau after such goods or articles have been assessed for conformity to the relevant standard by testing and marking center, recognized by the Bureau and marked with Hallmark or Standard Mark, as the case may be, as specified by regulations. No certified jeweller or seller shall sell or display or offer to sell any notified goods or articles, notwithstanding that he has been granted certification, with the Standard Mark, including Hallmark, or any colorable imitation thereof, unless such goods or article is marked with a Standard Mark or Hallmark, in a manner as may be specified by regulations, and unless such goods or article conforms to the relevant standard.
Bureau of Indian Standards has been carrying out search and seizure operation, as and when information or complaints related to violation of BIS Act 2016 is received, to safeguard the interest of the consumers.
