The Dehradun Bandh call given by the Jewellers’ Association evoked mixed response on Monday. However the association has claimed that the bandh was a complete success.
In protest against the increase in excise duty on gold the jewelers of the city are on path of agitation and the Bandh call was part of the agitation.
In the morning the members of the association assembled at Paltan market and discussed the strategy to ensure closure of the shops. The jewelers were also supported by Congress and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD). The supporters of the Bandh marched through Clock tower, Astley Hall and other prominent markets of the city in form of a Rally.
The Bandh was spontaneous in many areas like Dhammawala, Paltan market and Clock tower while in other places like Rajur road, station road; Dharampur and Raipur road groups of protesters were seen requesting the shopkeepers to close their shutters. At some places the Bandh supporters and the shopkeepers engaged in verbal duels on the issue of closure of the shops. However in the markets located in outer areas of the city the effect of the Bandh call was negligent.
Terming the Bandh a huge success the President of the Association Pankaj Mason said that the people responded to the Bandh call in a very positive way despite the fact that both Doon Udhyog Vyapar Mandal and Prantiya Udhyog Vyapar mandal did not supported the call. “I express my thanks to all the associations which supported us. In fact we never expected that we would receive such a support from common businessmen and shopkeepers,’’ he said.
The President of the association said that the proposed tax would ensure that industry would be in the hands of the inspectors which would create problems for the jewelers and the common people.
The state patron of the association Vijay Bagga said that the agitation of the jewellers would continue till the Union Government takes back its draconian decision of imposing tax on purchase of gold.
He said that people associated with Jewelry industry have planned a massive agitation in New Delhi on
March 17 and members of association from state would also participate in it in large numbers.