National News
GJEPC announces Kirit Bhansali as Chairman, Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and new Committee of Administration
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the country’s apex nodal trade body, announced the appointment of Kirit Bhansali as Chairman; Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and announced the constitution of new Committee of Administration (COA) after the completion of the COA Election 2024.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Our vision is to drive transformative growth for India’s gem and jewellery industry through strategic initiatives, innovative projects, and collaborative efforts. From advancing flagship projects like the India Jewellery Park in Mumbai and the Gem Bourse in Jaipur to expanding our global footprint with initiatives like Saudijex in Saudi Arabia and IJEX Dubai, we aim to position India as a global leader in technology, design, and manufacturing. Together, we will strive to achieve the ambitious export target of USD 100 billion by 2047, aligning with our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
Bhansali further added, “We aim to sustain India’s global leadership, capitalize on domestic market potential, and advocate for favorable policies while continuing to support our artisans. To boost exports from the sector and support India’s economic growth, GJEPC has identified 17 key clusters based on their size, potential, and strategic location. By nurturing these clusters, we aim to develop them into thriving export hubs.”
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “I sincerely thank all the industry members for entrusting me with this responsibility and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our remarkable gem and jewellery sector. This is a crucial time for the industry, and the challenges before us demand bold vision and decisive action. It is imperative to focus on category promotion across all verticals, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and adopting global standards to ensure our industry remains competitive on the world stage. The Council will continue to collaborate closely with the government to shape policies that not only drive growth but also address the pressing concerns of our exporters in an ever-evolving global market.”
List of CoA Member(s) 2024
| Sr. No | Name of the Directors | Designation |
| 1 | Kirit Bhansali | Chairperson |
| 2 | Shaunak Parikh | Vice-Chairperson |
| 3 | Smt. Khushboo Ranawat | Regional Chairperson – Western Region |
| 4 | Pankaj Parekh | Regional Chairperson – Eastern Region |
| 5 | Antar Pal Singh | Regional Chairperson – Northern Region |
| 6 | Jayantibhai N. Savaliya | Regional Chairperson – Gujarat Region |
| 7 | Mahendra Kumar Tayal | Regional Chairperson – Southern Region |
| 8 | Ajesh Mehta | CoA Member |
| 9 | Nirav Bhansali | CoA Member |
| 10 | Nilesh Kothari | CoA Member |
| 11 | Anil Virani | CoA Member |
| 12 | Pankaj Shah | CoA Member |
| 13 | Anil Sankhwal | CoA Member |
| 14 | Smit Patel | CoA Member |
| 15 | Krishna Behari Goyal | CoA Member |
| 16 | Manish Jiwani | CoA Member |
| 17 | Anoop Mehta | CoA Member |
| 18 | Ashish Borda | CoA Member |
| 19 | Dwarka Prasad Khandelwal | CoA Member |
| 20 | K. Srinivasan | CoA Member |
| 21 | Mansukhlal Kothari | CoA Member |
| Govt. Nominee | ||
| 1 | Shri Siddharth Mahajan – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India | Govt. Nominee Director |
Profiles of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Kirit A. Bhansali, Chairman, GJPEC
Kirit A. Bhansali, is a well-known personality in the Indian diamond and jewellery industry. He is a partner in Smital Gems, a leading diamond manufacturing company based in Mumbai. With his extensive experience in the field, he has played a significant role in promoting and developing the Indian gem and jewellery industry. He is the Chairman of India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) and is a Committee Member of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB). In the past he has also served as the chairman of the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ). Apart from his business activities, Bhansali is actively involved in various socio-political and educational initiatives. Through his leadership and vision, Bhansali has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Indian diamond and jewellery industry.
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh is 3rd generation entrepreneur and is one of the Directors of Mahendra Brothers Group of Companies who are into business of the manufacturing and marketing of diamonds and diamond jewellery. Parikh holds a degree of Bachelors of Commerce from University of Mumbai and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. After successfully establishing manufacturing and marketing of diamond jewellery for over a decade, Parikh took charge of Group’s finances about 15 years back. He simultaneously completed an executive diploma in corporate finance from London Business School. A people’s man, and with a flair for creativity, he plays a vital role in running company’s overall business, group strategic planning & decision making, managing group finances and new business opportunities. Shaunak Parikh has previously held several key positions in GJEPC, including serving as the Convener of the Banking, Insurance, and Taxation Committee, as well as the Convener of International Exhibitions.
National News
GJC Engages With RBI, Ministry of Finance on Gold Monetization Scheme Revamp
The proposed Model is Designed to Address Existing Structural Inefficiencies and Significantly Enhance the Scheme’s Adoption
GJC has been actively engaging with senior officials of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to advance a comprehensive revamp of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS).
GJC has submitted a refined, jeweller-integrated framework for GMS, developed through structured stakeholder consultations across the banking, refining, and jewellery sectors. The proposed model is designed to address existing structural inefficiencies and significantly enhance the scheme’s adoption and effectiveness.
The proposed GMS operates within the existing regulatory framework notified by the RBI and the Government of India, ensuring full compliance, institutional oversight, and financial system integrity. The framework builds on the current scheme architecture while introducing operational efficiencies and stakeholder alignment.
A central feature of the proposal is the formal transition towards a digital gold ecosystem, whereby physical gold is converted into dematerialised gold balances held within the banking system through structured account mechanisms.
In recent years, investment demand in gold bullion and coins has witnessed strong and sustained growth, reflecting increasing investor preference for physical gold as a store of value. The revamped GMS framework seeks to effectively leverage this trend by enabling investors to seamlessly monetise such holdings.
The scheme provides an avenue for investors to earn a return on idle gold assets, including bullion, coins, and jewellery, by integrating them into the formal financial system. This converts traditionally non-yielding assets into interest-bearing financial instruments, thereby enhancing portfolio efficiency without requiring liquidation of gold holdings.
The revised framework is anchored on robust governance principles:
• Transparency: End-to-end digital recording of transactions, including deposit, assay, dematerialisation, and credit.
• Traceability: System-based tracking of gold across the value chain, supported by verifiable documentation and audit trails.
• Accountability: Clearly defined responsibilities for all participants, reinforced through KYC compliance, documented consent, and regulatory supervision.
This structure ensures a secure, compliant, and auditable gold monetisation ecosystem, addressing key concerns under the existing scheme.
The proposed framework is expected to materially improve gold mobilisation by leveraging the reach and trust of the jewellery trade. Enhanced mobilisation of idle gold can reduce dependence on imports, support domestic supply, and contribute to the moderation of the Current Account Deficit (CAD).
Further, the shift towards a regulated digital gold framework will strengthen formalisation, improve compliance standards, and enhance overall market efficiency.
Rajesh Rokde, Chairman of GJC, said,

“GJC’s continued engagement with the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance reflects our commitment to building a robust and future-ready Gold Monetisation framework. The proposed model integrates jewellers into a regulated, digital ecosystem, significantly enhancing transparency, trust, and accessibility for consumers. By unlocking the value of idle gold, the scheme has the potential to strengthen domestic supply, reduce reliance on imports, and contribute meaningfully to India’s macroeconomic stability.”
Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman of GJC, said,
“The revamped GMS framework is designed to be practical, scalable, and fully aligned with regulatory expectations. It creates a secure and transparent pathway for gold monetisation, while ensuring accountability across all stakeholders. Importantly, it enables investors to earn returns on idle gold—including bullion, coins, and jewellery—thereby transforming a traditionally non-yielding asset into a productive financial instrument. This will play a critical role in formalising the sector and improving overall market efficiency.”

The trade is encouraged to support this initiative, which represents a significant step towards a regulated, transparent, and digitally integrated gold ecosystem in India, while unlocking value from idle gold holdings.
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