The members of Jewellers’ Association of Uttaranchal (JAU) continued its stir on 22nd day on Wednesday against the Centre slapping 1 per cent excise duty on the non-silver ornaments. The protesters wore black cloths and black bands on their foreheads. They gathered to shout slogans against the Union finance minister Arun Jaitely. The protesters burnt a black-hued effigy of the Central government at lansdowne Chowk. Speakers on the occasion said that the central government sapping one per cent excise duty on the non- silver ornaments have made their Holi black.
Meanwhile, the people continue to face difficulty to purchase ornaments with the jewellery shops in the city remaining closed due to continuing stir of the members of JAU.
Sarafa Mandal president Praveen Jain said that they have been protesting for the past 22 days, but to no avail. The Centre should immediately roll back the decision and raise the limit of requirement of PAN card for jewellery transaction from Rs two lakhs to Rs 10 lakh, he said. JAU vice- president Sunil Masson said they would continue their stir till the Centre withdraws excise duty on gold and diamond-studded gold ornaments.
