Port Blair, March 09: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in association with the Andaman and Nicobar Gold, Silver Merchants Association and the Department of Home Science, JNRM organised a consumer awareness programme in JNRM.
Mr. H.Ajay Khanna, Deputy Director, BIS Southern Regional Office, Chennai briefed about the genesis and growth of BIS and its services over the years. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods for the benefits of consumers, he added. Mr.V.Ramamurthy, Section Officer of BIS, Chennai gave presentation on the duplicate symbol of hallmark and way to differentiate them from the original one. Mr.V.Ramamurthy urged the customers to check the BIS symbol, quality of gold, logo of the hallmarking centre and jeweler’s identification mark on the ornaments Dr.J.S.Manhas, Principal i/c , JNRM spoke on the need for educating the students on quality of gold and silver products. The girl students certainly will be more aware after this programme and they will create awareness for their family members also, he added. Dr. K.Venkatesan, HOD, Homescience suggested this kind of programme should be organised for the rural areas to create more awareness among the general public.
Later an awareness programme for the Gold and Silver Merchants was organised with an aim to impart awareness on Hallmark and its procedural guidelines. Mr.T.Kalaivanan, DDGS, BIS Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said that fake hallmarking units are flourishing in various parts of the country. Hallmarks as official marks have been in use as a guarantee for the purity of gold and silver. Mr.T.Kalaivanan urged the Gold and Silver Merchants to give wide publicity among the general public about Hallmark since they are the customers and end users to avoid fraudulent on gold and silver purchase. Mr.Sanjay Vij, Head, BIS Kochi Branch Office informed the gathering about the various provisions available under the BIS for quality certification for Hallmark. Mr.S.Subramanian, President, Andaman and Nicobar Gold & Silver Merchants Association exhorted all the merchants to make use of the services of BIS through which quality can be ensured. Further Mr.S.Subramanian said customer satisfaction will be achieved only through supply quality products and which is being augmented by BIS.