Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: Continuing with their indefinite strike, jewellers observed bandh for the 30th consecutive day.
The jewellers all over India are observing complete bandh since March 2 due to the introduction of excise duty on production and manufacturing of Gold jewellery.
Large number of jewellers, swarnkars, karigars and artisans assembled at Jain Bazar. Brimming with anger, they sat on dharna.
The protestors expressed their resentment towards the Union Ministry by tearing up their clothes.
“For almost a month now, we are agitating against the imposition of anti-jewellers decision, which has deteriorated our condition to such an extent, that we are not even able to have three meals a day”, they added.
Almost every school has started with its admission but due to this protest they are not in a position to pay even the school fees of their children and get them admitted in the next class, they said, adding that this excise duty has not only destroyed their future but their children’s future is also in danger.
Later, the angry protesters took out a rally, which started from Jain Bazar and after passing through Link Road, Pir Mitha, Lakhdata Bazar and Kanak Mandi culminated at Lakhdata Bazaar.
Addressing the rally, Raman Suri, Chairman, Sarafa Association and Swarnkar Sangh Joint Action Committee, Jammu Province said that, “It has been a month but the Union Ministry is paying no heed to our genuine demand. We, jewellers, are the pillars on whose support this Government was established. But because of the indifferent attitude of the Government, the rage among the jewellers is increasing day-by-day, which is clearly visible in today’s rally as well”.
Government should roll back the excise duty on jewellery sector as it comes under the Handicraft Industry and is a real Make in India Project since years, he added.
“If the excise duty will not be rolled back at the earliest, then this Government will lose support of its pillars, that is, the Jewellers”, Suri warned.
Raj Kumar Babbar, All India Vice President Swarnkar Sangh and President Swarnkar Sangh, Jammu Province, 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, Surinder Jain, Treasure Sarafa Association Jammu, Ajay Talla, Rakesh Mahajan, CL Puri, Darshan Dhalla, all executive members of Sarafa Association said that if the Union Ministry failed to revoke its decision, then it will face the wrath of jewellers in the forthcoming elections in five States.
“Government will not be able to come in power again, if their demand is not fulfilled in the shortest possible time”, they added.
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