CM Sai backs Sarafa Association’s call for Swarnakala Board, promises policy reforms
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurates the World Standards Day function in Raipur as Chhattisgarh Sarafa Association President Kamal Soni joins the ceremony.
• Kamal Soni urges creation of Swarnakala Board for artisans
• CM calls proposal public-oriented, assures early action
By : Akshay Lahre
Raipur : Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday extended a positive assurance to the Chhattisgarh Sarafa Association’s demand for establishing a Swarnakala Board, describing it as a proposal deeply rooted in public interest and artisan welfare. He said the government would soon initiate policy measures to strengthen transparency and simplify regulations governing the jewellery trade.
The Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing the World Standards Day celebration organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur. He said the state’s focus was on ensuring that every trade sector operates with fairness, quality, and innovation. “The Swarnakala Board proposal will be reviewed with priority. Our intent is to make Sarafa policies clear, accessible, and beneficial for both traders and artisans,” he stated.
During the event, Chhattisgarh Sarafa Association President Kamal Soni presented a detailed memorandum to the Chief Minister, urging the creation of a statutory board for goldsmiths and jewellery artisans—similar to those operating in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. He said such an institution would not only protect traditional crafts but also provide professional training, technical certification, and welfare support for the artisan community.
Soni highlighted that the implementation of BIS hallmarking had brought transparency and renewed consumer confidence to the state’s gold trade. “BIS hallmarking has become a seal of trust. It has bridged the gap between jewellers and consumers, and a dedicated board will strengthen this ecosystem further,” he remarked.
Chief Minister Sai lauded the efforts of the Sarafa Association and said that quality, trust, and accountability were central to the state’s vision of economic growth. “When quality becomes a shared responsibility, progress becomes inevitable,” he said.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of traders, Kamal Soni thanked the Chief Minister for his assurance and said the government’s proactive approach was instilling new confidence among Chhattisgarh’s jewellers and artisans.
