Patiala MP Dr Dharmvira Gandhi on Sunday joined the jewellers in their protest against the Union government’s decision to levy 1 % excise duty and submitting copy of PAN (Permanent Account Number) on the purchase of jewellery costing Rs2 lakh and more.
Dr Gandhi said the excise duty and other norms imposed on the jewellers by the governments were not in the favour of common people. He added that the central government should take back the anti-people policies to save the jewellers’ business.
The jewellers, under the banner of Patiala Jewellers’ Association, are on strike since the past 12 days. Members of the associations on Sunday protested by holding black flags and banners and raised anti-government slogans.
Patiala Jewellers’ Association president Satpal Verma said the new norms would affect their business badly, as they were already the hit by the recession in the market. He added that the jewellers were on strike across the country, but the central government had failed to resolve the issue despite the protests.