Jewellers extend strike for indefinite period

Jewellers today decided to continue their pan-India strike for an indefinite period against the Budget proposal to impose 1 per cent excise duty, despite the Centre’s assurance that it would look into the issue. “We have met more than 358 associations affiliated with GJF, consisting of over 3 lakh manufacturers, retainers, artisans, among others, who have collectively decided to extend the strike indefinitely, till we get some positive announcement from the government,” All India Gems and Jewellery Federation (GJF) Chairman Sreedhar G V told reporters here. He said the excise tax guidelines, which have been drafted for the gems and jewellery industry are not practically implementable and will be detrimental to the survival of the industry. “We urge the government to withdraw the proposal,” he added.