The government is getting jewellers on board seeking their feedback on setting up a 'national council' that will act as a forum for discussion and resolution of issues faced by them.
The proposed council is envisaged to be on the lines of Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
"There have been talks of forming a gems and jewellery council, on the lines of GJEPC, for the domestic industry. Today, we had a meeting with Commerce Ministry officials to discuss the mandate or agenda for forming this national- level council. We have been asked to send our suggestions to the government within 15 days," Bacharaj Bamalwa, former Chairman of All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation, told PTI.
He said several associations and industry bodies, including FICCI, GJEPC, Bureau of Indian Standards and Indian Bullion and Jewellery Association, attended the meeting.
The major objective of the entire exercise is to create a platform where the communication between the industry and the government gets streamlined, which helps in resolving issues faced by the sector, Bamalwa said.
The board of the council will have officials of the Commerce Ministry.
GJEPC, set up in 1966, is one of the several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched to push exports when India's post-Independence economy began making foray into international markets.
Since 1998, GJEPC has been granted autonomous status and is the apex body of the gems and jewellery industry representing almost 6,000 exporters in the sector.
