JAMMU, AUGUST 25: Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Jammu Rajesh Kumar Shavan on Monday chaired a meeting with gold and silver traders to discuss measures for protecting consumers from misleading practices in the sale of gold, silver and artificial jewellery.
The meeting was attended by Joint Controller Legal Metrology, Deputy Director F&R, Deputy Director Supplies, Chief Accounts Officer, representatives of various Swarnakar Associations from Jammu, Udhampur, Katra and Reasi, besides Assistant Directors of Jammu Division and Area Inspectors.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on complaints regarding the sale of artificial or non-conforming articles by representing them as gold or silver, particularly in areas witnessing high pilgrim and consumer footfall.
The participants also discussed concerns related to purity, hallmarking, weight, billing and misleading representation of making charges.
The Director stressed the need for close coordination among the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Legal Metrology Department and Department of Consumer Affairs to ensure fair and transparent trade practices while safeguarding the interests of consumers as well as genuine traders.
It was decided that joint awareness programmes and stakeholder meetings would be conducted at the district level. The concerned authorities were also directed to carry out regular and random inspections and take appropriate action against persons found indulging in unfair or misleading trade practices.
The meeting also emphasised greater consumer awareness about BIS hallmarking and HUID verification, proper disclosure of weight, purity and other charges, and strengthening of the consumer grievance redressal mechanism.
Shavan reiterated that coordinated efforts by all stakeholders were essential to restore consumer confidence, promote transparency and curb unfair trade practices in the jewellery sector.
It was further decided that the next awareness camp would be held at Katra.
