It is not only among the most expensive of the metals that Indians love to own, it is also the one where cheating is widespread, if not endemic.
Though the country consumes over 800 tonnes of gold annually, representing business valued at over Rs 40,000 crore, most of the half-million goldsmiths and ornament dealers enjoy a poor reputation for business integrity.
Under the circumstances, the high-level committee set up by the government to pave the way for hallmarking of gold was expected to come up with suggestions for speeding up the hallmarking process.
