A search and seizure operation was conducted by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Guwahati Branch Office, on the premises of M/s Paul Hallmarking Centre, at Agia in Goalpara district of Assam.
The operation was carried out in response to several complaints regarding alleged violations of the BIS Act, 2016.
During the investigation, it was ascertained that the establishment was functioning as an unauthorized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) and was engaged in illegal hallmarking activities. The firm was found to be using a laser marking machine and PVC Card Printer for fake Hallmarking activities. The laser marking machine, PVC Card Printer, CCTV Footage records along with 27 PVC Cards with spurious BIS Logo and 15.180 grams of jewellery items with fake hallmarking were seized during the raid.
Gold jewellery products are covered under the mandatory hallmarking order notified by the Government of India.
Action is being initiated against the offenders for violation of Section 14(6) of the BIS Act, 2016. The offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with a fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but may extend up to five times the value of the goods or articles produced, sold, offered for sale, or affixed or applied with a Standard Mark including Hallmark, or with both, as provided under the BIS Act, 2016.
The BIS Act, 2016, states: “No testing and marking center or assaying and hallmarking center, other than the recognized by the Bureau, shall with respect to goods or articles notified under sub-section (1), use, affix, emboss, engrave, print or apply in any manner the Standard Mark, including the Hallmark, or colorable imitation thereof, on any goods or article; and make any claim in relation to the use and application of a Standard Mark, including the Hallmark, through advertisements, sales promotion leaflets, price lists or the like.”
The Bureau of Indian Standards has been conducting raids whenever information regarding misuse is received and verified, with the objective of protecting consumers from such deception and the possible safety hazards that may result from the use of such materials.
