The three-day strike of Madhya Pradesh Sarafa Association and All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) evoked good response throughout the State on the second day. The Sarafa traders and workers would also remain on the strike on Friday against the Central Government’s decision imposing exercise duty on jewellery making.
In support of the strike, all the Sarafa associations of Bhopal and artisans from Shree Sarafa Association Bhopal, Old city, New Market, 10 number, Berkheda, Bairagarh, Piplani, Anand Nagar, Awadpuri, Jehangirabad, Chhola, Kolar Road, Shahjehanabad, Karond and Apsara talkies area closed their establishments and participated in the strike. On the second day all the small artisans engaged in melting and making of ornaments participated in the strike.
There are more than 10,000 families depended on this profession in Bhopal. Since this is marriage season, the citizens are facing difficulties due to the strike. On the second day the dharna was staged at Sarafa chowk.
The Sarafa traders say that the UPA Government in 2012, when Pranab Mukherjee was Union Finance Minister, this exercise duty was imposed and was opposed in lok Sabha by Yashwant Sinha of the BJP and now the same BJP, NDA government has brought it back which is beyond understanding for the traders.
Navneet Agarwal of Sarafa Association told The Pioneer, “We believe that there should not be any exercise duty on Sarafa trade. As of now, we have decided only a three-day strike. If our demands are not met we will act according to the decision taken by our association at national level.”