- New Delhi (PTI) - Adulteration of gold by jewellers in
major cities is so rampant the magnitude of the cheating across the country
could be to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore, Consumers Affairs Minister Shanta
Kumar said today.
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- "It is unfortunate that 12 of the 15 samples examined
by the Bureau of Indian Standards from jewellers in Delhi turned out to
be of 22 carat", he said.
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- Similarly, samples collected from Hyderabad and Rajasthan
were found to contain upto 35 per cent impurities, Kumar said after presenting
Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Awards for 1999.
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- Terming the adulteration of gold as a "big challenge",
he said if 30-35 per cent impurities is taken as an average in the 800
tonne annual country-wide trade in gold, the fraud could be valued upto
Rs 10,000 crore.
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- Kumar said he was shocked to learn even medicines which
were the lifeline of the ailing also contained adulterants, putting lives
of the people in danger.
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- "We must step up the drive against those indulging
in such activities and conduct more frequent surveys to protect consumers'
interests", he said.
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- The Minister said a survey of 4.62 lakh ration shops
conducted by Tata Consultancy had also revealed 30 per cent diversion of
foodgrains meant for people below the poverty line in the public distribution
system.
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- The best quality award was shared by Gujarat Cooperative
Milk Marketing Federation and makers of diesel engines, Tata Cummins, while
other awards and commendation certificates were presented in 12 categories.
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