Licences of 5 jewellery shops cancelled for selling fake gold: Odisha Minister

At least five jewellery shops had to lose their licences, which were previously revoked after they were found to be selling counterfeit gold, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said in Odisha Assembly on Wednesday.

According to sources, the shops are Ambika Jewellers in Kuchinda, Rajashree Jewellers in Kujang of Jagatsinghpur, Suna Chandi Jewellers in Puri, Radhakant Jewellers in Bargarh, and Alankar Jewellers in Sambalpur.

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During the fiscal year 2022-23, six cases were registered concerning measurement errors, resulting in fines totaling around Rs 2.35 Lakh. Similarly, in FY 2023-24, six cases were filed, leading to fines of around Rs 1.55 Lakh. Likewise, four cases were initiated by November 2024 with fines amounting to Rs 48,000, the Minister informed Assembly.

“The price of gold is skyrocketing day by day and has become unaffordable for poor people. If the government will not exercise its control over exorbitant hikes, how the poor people will get their daughters married?” an elderly woman Sabhapati Kar questioned.

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“Moreover, it is painful that poor people would purchase gold with their hard-earned money and get counterfeit gold instead,” the elderly woman from Cuttack rued.

“Usually for our daughter’s marriage, we purchase gold by borrowing money. When we ask for Hallmark-assured gold and get fake gold in lieu of our money, how can we know? Strong action should be taken by the State government against wrongdoers,” another woman Menaka Choudhury expressed.