Tamil Nadu government also hunts for gold, with a difference

mangaloretoday.com

Chennai, Oct 24: Even as the government searches for gold in the ruins of a centuries-old fort in Uttar Pradesh, the Tamil Nadu government is on a gold hunt of its own.

 

It wants to buy 400 kilos of gold and has asked for bids from suppliers who are interested.
 
What the government specifically wants is 100,000 coins of 22-carat gold, weighing four grams each. These are to be given as part of schemes that offer gold coins to help poor families make Thirumangalyam or mangalsutra for weddings.

All bids need to be submitted by November 22.

"It is going to be a challenging task. Availability of gold is the major challenge. Imports of gold is allowed only against export," Jayantilal Challani, president, the Madras Jewellers and Diamond Merchants Association, told news agency said.

Government officials say the final contract will ensure the supplier is liable if the coins turn out to be alloyed.