Jewellers’ strike takes sheen out of wedding season in Noida

Noida residents had a tough time buying jewellery during the wedding season past fortnight because of the indefinite strike called by gold traders across the country.

Residents of the city said they had a tough time buying jewellery during the wedding season past fortnight because of the indefinite strike called by gold traders across the country. Gold traders are protesting the government’s decision to reimpose 1% excise duty and making PAN mandatory for any transaction of Rs. 2 lakh and more.

Gold traders have been protesting the government’s decision to reimpose 1% excise duty and making PAN mandatory for any transaction of Rs. 2 lakh and more. (HT File Photo)

Almost all jewellery shops in the city are observing a complete shutdown.

Residents said they had to use personal contacts to buy jewellery from neighbouring cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Sohna, Faridabad.

“We have been buying gold from a jeweller for the past three generations and so we did not face difficulties. But we had to pay extra for the jewellery. I know a family that bought gold ornaments of Rs.2 lakh from a jeweller in Lajpat Nagar in Delhi for their daughter. They had personal contact with the jeweller so they got the ornaments,” said Anil Kasana of Badauli.

Shyam Pradhan of Ghangola in Greater Noida said, “Since I was in touch with jewellers for my daughter’s wedding in February, I got to know that they were planning to go on a strike after the Union budget. I immediately informed my relatives in Badshahpur and Sohna and they also brought the jewellery before the strike,” said Shaym Pradhan.

“We have told all gold traders to keep shops closed and support the strike. We have got support from every trader and top brands, except Tanishq,” he said.

“Tanishq has no objection in paying the excise duty and so we have not shut our shops. But we have extended moral support to the strike,” said Deepanshu, an employee of a Tanishq showroom in Sector 18.

Meanwhile, the traders continue to protest in the city against the government.