Jewellers call off stir, to give chance to talks

All India Jewellers Association vice-president SK Jain said the decision to give up the stir was taken owing to the ongoing talks with the government and following long deliberation with like-minded trade bodies. 

“We will soon come with new strategy if the government doesn’t roll back the newly added tax on ornaments. The traders are currently in talks with them,” said Jain. 

All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation president GK Shirdhar said the move to resume business and trade operations was an outcome of positive approach of the government on the issue. 

Asked whether the government had assured them of abolishing the tax, he said there was no hope that the government will retreat from its decision. However, it was ready to simplify the process and an announcement in this regard will soon be made. 

Meanwhile, talks will be held in the national capital between several jewellers’ organisations and Union Minister Piyush Goyal to end the ongoing stalemate between traders and the government. The merchants said they will propose before the government to replace the excise duty with Value Added Tax (VAT).

Soon after the duty was announced, the jewellers hit the streets against it. Their agitation drew support from opposition parties such as Aam Aadmi Party and Congress.