The jewellery merchants, both having large establishments as well as those in making of gold and silver ornaments, on Monday, stayed away from business by keeping shops closed in protest of fresh guidelines of Government over hallmarking.
Over four hundred such shops both in city and suburban areas including Jharia, Nirsa, Baghmara and Katras remained closed to protest the Government guidelines.
The jewellers led by Chetan Goyanka president of the District Chamber of commerce held meeting of jewellers over the issue and decided to oppose the new guidelines ."If Government continues to maintain pressure for the hallmarking we would proceed on an indefinite strike," said Goyanka who happens to be owner of two large ornament stores in district.