Uttarakhand Jewellers, shopkeepers to observe bandh on April 4

Jewellers and other traders and shopkeepers in Uttarakhand will keep their business establishments closed on April 4 in protest against the Central government for imposing excise duty on jewellery.

Bipin Berry, president of the Jewellers Association of Uttaranchal, told mediapersons here today that all trade and business organisations would remain completely closed on April 4. He said a chakka jam would also be observed in Dehradun on April 4.

Berry said various business organisations had extended their support to the bandh. Due to the dictatorial attitude of the Central government, business activity in the country had come to a standstill during the past 32 days, he added.

He said besides inconvenience to consumers, the government itself was losing revenue due to the stir. By imposing excise duty on jewellery, the Centre was trying to revive ‘Inspector Raj’.

Berry said the Centre could have increased custom duty rather than imposing excise duty on jewellery business. Anil from the Pranteeya Udyog Vyapar Mandal was also present at the news conference.