 "Chaos among jewellers, shops remain closed")
Smaller associations of jewellers, artisans are still prohibiting jewellers from opening shops, despite assurance from finance ministry to excise officials for not harassing them.
A committee was set up to in to issues of jewellers regarding implementing excise after jewellers across the country protested against the proposed levy on non-silver jewellery items announced in the Budget 2016-17 and mandatory quoting of PAN by customers for transactions of Rs 2 lakh and above.
In Zaveri Bazar, Mumbai, police personnel were called Tuesday to ensure no damages done as representatives of small associations gathered there and market scene looked horrid with the shops remaining closed.
Big jewellers were of the opinion to support central leadership and apex associations like Indian Bullion and Jewellers Associations, All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), the Gem and Jwellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) have announced support of new arrangement agreed upon with the finance ministry on Saturday which was made public by the government by an excise department circular.
Smaller associations don't want excise. Some seniors were heard saying the excise department may remain quite for a few months but they will create a scene which was seen before 1992 when gold control act was applicable to jewellers.
Similar scene was prevailing in most other cities; according to an official of IBJA here and there was complete chaos like atmosphere everywhere among jewellers.