Strike by jewellers against government’s proposal to levy 1 per cent excise duty on gold, entered 19th day on Monday.
Despite repeated pleas by the jewellers for rollback of the union budget proposal, the central government has paid no heed to “our pleas,” the jewellers here said.
The jewellers carried out a protest rally from the retail gold market here to press for their demand.
Bashir Ahmad Rather, president All Kashmir Gold Dealers and Workers Association said the national media wrongly reported that the strike was called off across India.
“It is the diamond sellers who have called off their strike. The goldsmiths / jewellers across the country are on strike and they will continue to be so until the proposal is taken back,” Rather said.
Commenting on the losses suffered due to the strike, Rather said, there are 10,000 jewellers in the Valley who are on strike. “Our estimates tell us that the loss has been to the tune of Rs 2-3 crore to the jewellers.”
To mention, the strike by jewellers in Kashmir is being observed in parallel to the All India Gems and Jewellery Association strike from March 2 against the budget announcements especially the one regarding levy of 1 percent excise duty on gold.
As the strike is being observed across India, all the district gold dealers here have decided to continue the strike, Rather added.
Rather said the strike is also being observed by goldsmiths’ workers who do polishing of ornaments.
