Gold traders on the edge

New Delhi/Bengaluru : Some Indian gold traders are placing bulk, short-term import orders on fears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might soon add curbs on overseas purchases of the metal to his withdrawal of high-denomination banknotes in his fight against 'black money', traders and jewellers said.

India is the world's second biggest gold buyer, and it is estimated that one-third of its annual demand of up to 1,000 tonnes is paid for in black money untaxed funds held in secret by citizens in cash that don't appear in any official accounts. Modi has said he may not stop at the shock currency move that has led to a massive cash shortage, but has not made clear what his next step would be in his drive to uncover the wealth. That uncertainty is likely to create sharp swings in purchases, affecting world prices.

"We're uncertain about what the government will do next," said Daman Prakash Rathod, a director at MNC Bullion in Chennai. "No legal business trader is willing to risk very big quantity. (Some) want to buy 2-3 kg extra so that in future they could conduct their business for a month or two until the situation is sorted out."

Panicked gold traders and jewellers have circulated messages amongst themselves saying the government could ban import of gold for domestic use from early next year to March, according to several jewellers in New Delhi and Mumbai who have seen the message. India's ongoing wedding season - traditionally a focus for gifting gold - is fuelling the disquiet.

One senior official involved with government policy-making on gold said there has been no discussion on import curbs but that supply has gone up through "unofficial channels." "If you see the premiums, you know that there is demand," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In domestic markets, jewellers are charging premiums of as high as 50 per cent but have not committed to buy any new gold, said several jewellers who declined to be identified.

By Neha Dasgupta & Swati Verma