Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: As the talks between the Central Government and the bullion traders failed to yield fruitful results, the jewellers across Jammu and Kashmir remained firm on their indefinite strike for the 17th consecutive day.
Jewellers across the State have been protesting against the proposed one per cent excise duty on the production and manufacturing of gold jewellery.
All the jewellers, Karigars, Swarnkars and all other associated people sat on dharna at Jain Bazar, Jammu. While sitting on the Dharna, many people expressed their rage against the Union Government and its decision.
Addressing the protesters, Raman Suri, Chairman, Sarafa Association and Swarnkar Sangh Joint Action Committee, Jammu Province, lambasted the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for not taking positive decision in favour of jewellers.
He asked the BJP leaders, MLAs and MPs of Jammu, who had favoured the jewellers strike in 2012 on the same issue, that if they could support a cause four years before, then why they are not supporting the same cause this time.
“We are not against BJP, Congress or any other political party but we are against the anti-people policies made by them”, Suri said and urged Jaitley to immediately roll back the excise duty so that the respect, which the jewellers have for him will remain intact.
Raj Kumar Babber, All India Vice President Swarnkar Sangh and President Swarnkar Sangh, Jammu Province reminded that on the support of traders, BJP came in power in Centre. “PM Narendra Modi supported the cause of jewellers in 2012, but this time he is silent, which reflects his callous attitude towards them”, he added.
“If the Government’s intention is to snatch the bite from our mouth, then we will not let this happen at any cost. We will protest till our voice is heard and action is taken in our favour”, Babber warned.
Parjan Kumar Jain, President Sarafa Association Jammu, Kulbhushan Anand, President Swarnkar Sangh Jammu District, Vijay Verma, General Secretary Sarafa Association Jammu, Ajay Vaid, General Secretary Swarnkar Sangh Jammu District, besides many others also spoke on the occasion.
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