Will take up excise duty issue with PM: Union Min to jewellers

Gujarat MP and Union Minister Mohan Kundariya today said he will take up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the excise duty issue raised by striking jewellers in an effort to resolve the matter. The Lok Sabha MP from Rajkot said he will take along other MPs from Gujarat, a major gems and jewellery hub, for a meeting with Modi. Kundariya met the agitating jewellers in Rajkot.

Jewellers across Gujarat and other parts of the country are on an indefinite strike since the last ten days to protest the proposed 1 per cent excise duty on gold and diamond jewellery and also mandatory PAN card clause for purchases of Rs 2 lakh and above. After meeting the jewellers, Kundariya said that both BJP as well as the Centre are trying hard to resolve the issue.

"Being the MP of Rajkot, I met these jewellers today to know their problems. Jewellers across India are agitating against the proposed excise duty. I have told them that both BJP as well as the Central government are trying their best to find a solution." "In the coming days, all the MPs from Gujarat will meet the PM and make a representation about this issue. We will see this issue is resolved," said Kundariya, the MoS for Agriculture.