Bhubaneswar: Jewellery shops from across the state have joined the three day nationwide strike called by All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF protesting against the Government’s move to hike custom duty and consumer tax on the entire jewellery sector.
 
As part of this move for total bandh, jewellery shops in the state will remain closed for three days spanning from 17th March to 19th March

Describing this measure as very detrimental for both the domestic jewellery industry as well as the consumers, Mr. Khimji owner of the Khimji jewelers said that while the industry is struggling to come up from the after effects of recession, such a step will certainly hit the industry very hard.

Such a measure will discourage organised retail in jewellery trade and will create additional hurdles for the consumer and the trade, taking the sector backward, he added.

It may be noted here that Jewellers and trade associations from across the country, led by the All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), have called for a total bandh of all jewellery establishments from March 17- 19, 2012.