New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI): Gold prices hit a fresh lifetime high of Rs 1,13,100 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday, advancing by Rs 100 on sustained buying by stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
Gold prices have been on a bull run this year, skyrocketing by Rs 34,150 or 43.25 per cent, from Rs 78,950 per 10 grams on December 31, 2024.
The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity also advanced Rs 100 to touch a fresh record peak of Rs 1,12,600 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes).
"Gold prices have reached all-time highs as market risks have escalated, such as inflationary worries, mounting public debt, and weakening US growth. Exchange-traded fund flows, especially in Asia, have been a swing factor for gold prices," said Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont.
According to Sandip Raichura, CEO – Retail Broking & Distribution and Director at PL Capital, gold has had a blockbuster year, with domestic prices up more than 40 per cent in 2025.
"The surge has been driven by heavy central bank buying, strong inflows into exchange-traded funds, expectations of multiple rate cuts, and persistent geopolitical tensions linked to tariffs," Raichura said.
These factors have made gold the safe-haven of choice, though fresh allocations at record levels now carry the risk of volatility, he added.
In the international market, however, gold prices softened, with spot gold trading 0.52 per cent lower at USD 3,621.91 per ounce. Spot silver also slipped 0.35 per cent to USD 41.01 per ounce.
"Investors are awaiting the latest US consumer inflation report, which is scheduled to be released later in the day.
"The report is expected to provide further clarity on inflation, potentially influencing the magnitude of the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut next week," said Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities.
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Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
