Bengaluru, April 18: Hundreds of customers, especially women, made a beeline to gold and jewellery shops across the city on Wednesday to buy the glittering ornaments for celebrating Akshaya Tritiya festival.
"We have seen 10-15 per cent spike in sales due to Akshaya Tritiya and about 20 per cent increase in footfalls through the day, forcing us to keep our showroom open till 11 p.m.," Malabar Gold & Diamonds manager Dileep told IANS here.
Aware of the sentiment attached to the auspicious occasion and the belief that buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya augurs well and brings fortune through the year, leading jewellery stores offered discounts, gifts, freebies and reduction in making charges to lure more customers and spur sales.
"The response has been in line with our expectations this time and more than last year when sales were affected by demonetisation and GST subsequently. Our sales pitch also helped us in drawing more customers," said Dileep.
Though the day began with a few hundred customers showing up till afternoon, jewellery stores across the city witnessed steady footfalls by evening and heavy rush during the peak shopping hours.
"The footfalls were heavy on Tuesday evening and picked up on Wednesday post-noon. As more customers came to our stores later in the evening, we decided to remain open till 10.30 p.m.," a Joyalukkas salesperson told IANS.
A sales manager of Navarthan Jewellers, which has six stores across the city, told IANS that prices of select gold ornaments have gone up to Rs 33,370-33,760 per 10 gm of 24 karat as demand surged after 4 p.m.
"Diamond jewellery is in good demand this time. Sales of bangles, necklaces and jhumkas also picked up during the day. Designer ornaments are preferred by young and middle age customers, mostly women," said the manager.
Admitting that even young and modern women were of the belief that buying gold on Akshaya Tritya augured well and did not want to miss the occasion, the manager said average age of such customers was between 20-40 years.
"As we showcase a range of ornaments, in gold, platinum and silver with or without diamonds, we also get customers who are young, trendy, studying or working. They look for both modern and traditional designs."
Retail price of 22 karat has also shot up to Rs 31,100 in branded stores like Kalyan Jewellers, P.C. Chandra Jewellers and Krishnaiah Chetty & Jewellers in the central business district.
"We performed well on Akshaya Tritiya compared to previous years, as the growth was much higher than expectation and jewellery sales growth was encouraging," said Tanishq Vice-President (marketing & retail) Sandeep Kulhalli.
Coinciding with the festive season, many customers also bought wedding jewellery. The overall customer sentiment was positive in metros and the pick-up was also good in non-metros in line with expectations.
Average retail prices were in the range of Rs 32,011-32,570 per 10 gm for 24 karat and Rs 29,350-29,780 per 10 gam for 22 karat.
"Retail prices range depending on the locality of the gold and jewellery shops, with branded stores and showrooms quoting on higher side," a bullion trader told IANS.
Bullion rates in the city were Rs 31,358 per 10 gm for 24 karat gold and Rs 29,320 per 10 gm for 22 karat, while silver 999 was Rs 31,358 per kg.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
