In a major crackdown on malpractices within the jewellery trade, the Gujarat Legal Metrology Department has imposed hefty fines following surprise inspections across the state. The department's teams targeted showrooms in a sweeping operation, uncovering widespread violations of measurement and disclosure norms.
Widespread Violations Uncovered Across Districts
The enforcement drive was extensive, covering 370 jewellery showrooms spread across 25 districts of Gujarat. Officials conducted unannounced checks, which led to the detection of 253 specific instances where rules were flouted. The action resulted in the immediate, on-the-spot collection of fines totalling Rs 6.79 lakh.
According to an official statement released on Sunday, this recent campaign is part of an ongoing vigilance effort. Over the past year, the department has been particularly active, recovering a significant Rs 18.77 lakh in penalties from jewellers found violating prescribed guidelines.
Ahmedabad Tops the List, Statewide Reach
The inspections revealed a concerning pattern of non-compliance. The city of Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of violations, with 22 cases detected from 61 units checked. However, the campaign had a truly statewide footprint, ensuring no region was overlooked.
Inspections were carried out in numerous districts, including Bharuch, Narmada, Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar, Botad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and Patan. The list further extended to Chhota Udepur, Tapi, Valsad, Dang, Navsari, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Porbandar, Amreli, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Surendranagar, Mehsana, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Rajkot, and Morbi.
Common Irregularities Found in Showrooms
The raids brought to light several critical lapses that directly impact consumer trust and fairness. The primary irregularities detected by the department's teams included:
- Using weights and measures that were not verified or stamped by authorities.
- Providing less weight of gold or jewellery to customers than what was declared and paid for.
- Employing measuring instruments that had not undergone mandatory re-verification.
- Possessing and using weights that lacked the official stamp certifying their accuracy.
- Failing to prominently display purity certificates for hallmarked jewellery, a key requirement for consumer awareness.
These practices mislead consumers and result in financial loss, as customers may pay for more gold than they actually receive.
Protecting Consumer Interests
This large-scale enforcement action underscores the state government's commitment to protecting consumer rights in a sensitive sector like jewellery. The use of unverified weights and measures is a serious offence under the Legal Metrology Act, as it compromises the fundamental principle of fair trade.
The surprise nature of the inspections is a strategic move to catch violators off guard, ensuring a true picture of everyday practices. The department has signalled that such drives will continue, urging all jewellers to strictly adhere to the rules regarding verified equipment, accurate weighing, and transparent disclosure of purity to avoid punitive action.
